15.3.4 : Alien species impact reduction (policies)
UTM Campus Sustainability Policy
The Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Campus Sustainability Policy 2021 establishes a fundamental, institutional commitment to the protection and enhancement of its native ecological systems, directly serving as the policy framework for reducing the impact of alien (invasive) species on campus.
This foundational policy, translated from its core mandates on sustainable resource management, dictates that the integrity of the campus's diverse natural areas—including forests, wetlands, and open green spaces—must be preserved against biological threats. This translates into two critical actions:
- Prevention and Landscaping Control: The policy requires a "native-first" approach to all campus landscaping and development projects. It mandates strict internal guidelines that prioritize the use of indigenous or locally adapted flora, minimizing the risk of introducing non-native organisms that could become invasive, outcompete local species, or disrupt the ecological balance. New planting and seed procurement are subject to sustainability vetting to prevent alien species establishment.
- Active Monitoring and Living Lab Engagement: The policy supports the utilization of the campus as a Living Laboratory for biodiversity monitoring. This encourages research, field studies, and management activities focused on the identification, tracking, and mitigation of established invasive alien species, ensuring that threat reduction is data-driven and integrated with academic expertise.
By embedding this proactive stewardship into its official policy, UTM ensures the resilience of its native ecosystem, safeguarding it as a vital natural asset for Malaysia and fulfilling its role as a model sustainable campus.
Source :
