Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, the University of Malaya's 80-hectare botanical garden, is an important conservation site and educational resource in Malaysia. Since its inception in 1974, the garden has evolved from an abandoned rubber estate into a flourishing haven for around 1,700 plant species, offering a unique rainforest experience in an urban setting. Originally a teaching facility for biology students, it opened to the public in 1997 and now features core collections of medicinal plants, palms, and rare orchids. We discuss how Rimba Ilmu is fostering environmental awareness and promoting the conservation of Malaysia's rich biodiversity, and we also chat about Belukar Dah Jadi Rimba, Rimba Ilmu 50th anniversary exhibition with Benjamin Ong, a PhD researcher with the University of St Andrews and the producer of the exhibition, and also Huda Nejim Al-Asedi, a teaching artist, and the Art Director of Belukar dah jadi Rimba.

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs

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Categories:  environment,  visual arts,  History/Heritage,  education

Tags:  botanic garden,  herbarium,  the bigger picture,  earth matters,  rimba ilmu,  university of malaya,  botanical garden,  conservation,  regenerating forest,  urban biodiversity,  rewilding,