Hamilton Biodiversity Park: Revitalising Nature Through Strategic Ecological Restoration
At Sime Darby Property, we recognise that sustainable developments are not just about building spaces but also about
ensuring the long-term resilience of the environment. Our approach to urban biodiversity is strategic, we believe
that enhancing ecosystem integrity not only benefits nature but also strengthens the value and sustainability of our
developments.
Hamilton Biodiversity Park (“HBP”) is central to this vision. Spanning 284-acre within the 892.47-acre Hamilton
Industrial Park, this active restoration area is designed to function as a carbon sink while reinforcing the
broader Mountain-to-Sea conservation strategy outlined in the Malaysian Vision Valley (“MVV”) Comprehensive
Development Plan. Positioned upstream, Hamilton plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, ensuring
that future developments downstream can thrive. Once a disused oil palm plantation, it is now poised to become a
thriving, healthy forest, demonstrating the impact of dedicated ecological planning.
As the first township to adopt this approach, Hamilton Nilai City sets the precedent for integrating ecological
restoration into industrial development. Beyond the 284-acre restoration, our long-term master plan includes nearly
10km of green corridors, aligning with stringent conservation frameworks and our commitment to sustainable growth.
By transforming a former monoculture plantation into a thriving biodiverse ecosystem, we are not only mitigating
environmental impact but also shaping Hamilton Industrial Park into a model for responsible development one where
business and biodiversity coexist.
The Split-GIll Mushroom (Kulat Sisir)
Thriving Flora, Diverse Fungi, and Unique Fauna: Hamilton's Restoration Journey
Guided by a solid foundation of baseline data, each phase of this long-term effort is rooted in careful planning and
scientific insight. Biodiversity monitoring every five years will help sustain and adapt the transformation,
gradually fostering a resilient natural environment. Sime Darby Property has collaborated with multiple industry
experts on this project, who bring valuable insights and strategic oversight to its Ecosystem Restoration Planner.
These partnerships highlight Sime Darby Property’s commitment to leveraging expert knowledge and fostering
innovation in ecological restoration.
Extending the neighbouring Galla Permanent Reserved Forest, HBP boasts an extraordinary diversity of fungi, with
over 49 recorded species. Among them is the Kulat Sisir, a fan-shaped edible fungus cherished by indigenous com-
munities for its delicate structure and cultural significance. These fungi, particularly wood-decay varieties, play
acrucial role in nutrient recycling and soil enrichment, underpinning the park’s ecological balance. Beyond their
ecological importance, these fungi serve as visual marvels and stand as symbols of Hamilton’s remarkable natural
diversity. This rich biodiversity, however, is not confined to fungi and flora alone; it extends across the park’s
ecosystem, encompassing a wide array of animals that exemplify the unique wildlife of the region.
Paradise Flying Snake
Sunda Slow Loris
Among the notable fauna species that call HBP home are the critically endangered Sunda Pangolin, listed on the IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species. The park also shelters the Sunda Slow Loris, a venomous primate, which uses venom as
a defence mechanism. Nevertheless, this species plays a vital role in controlling insect populations while acting as a seed disperser.
The park provides refuge for the Wallace’s Hawk Eagle, an uncommon raptor that helps regulate smaller vertebrate
prey populations, and the Malayan Horned Frog, an iconic frog species typically associated with clean and healthy
river ecosystems. Additionally, the Striped Bronzeback and Paradise Flying Snake are among the diverse reptilian
inhabitants. Other species, such as the Large Indian Civet, Mainland Leopard Cat, along with a handful of bat
species, contribute significantly to the park’s ecological balance while demonstrating the variety of life that
finds shelter here.
Engaging Communities and Future Generations
Mainland Leopard Cat
HBP is a demonstration of our commitment to regenerating and protecting a critical ecosystem which will also serve as a restored extension to benefit the nearby Gallah Forest Reserve. Future plans for the HBP include leveraging on partnerships to deliver community-centric programmes, promote environmental education and even support
nature-based tourism.
HBP represents a long-term commitment to not only restore but also enhance the natural environment that once thrived. It is a deliberate effort rooted in patience, scientific rigour, and community collaboration, aimed at creating a sanctuary where both nature and people can coexist harmoniously.
Although the journey is just beginning, early signs of success are already visible, whether in the diverse fungi, abundant wildlife, or the renewed sense of hope for shared ecosystems. Hamilton is being nurtured into a sanctuary that honours the past, fosters harmonious coexistence between people and nature, and cultivates a resilient, sustainable future for all.
