02/06/2026
【Wild Durian: Forest, People and Future】
Not just a fruit.
But a living story of forests, biodiversity, and the people who grow, protect, and understand it.
We invite you to join this special panel forum that goes beyond durian appreciation — into the deeper conversation of ecosystems, conservation, and the future of our natural heritage.
Wild durian is part of a larger forest story.
It connects us to biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, land stewardship, and the urgent question of how we care for what is disappearing.
This session brings together voices from conservation, regenerative farming, and ecological restoration to ask one important question:
How do we better value the forest beyond its resources?
We are honored to feature:
** Joe Ng Kim Chew **
A wild durian conservationist and seed collector dedicated to preserving rare native durian species in Malaysia, including the vulnerable *Durio lowianus*. He actively shares seeds with conservation and research networks such as NatureClassroom (自然教室), USM EcoHub, and Project MARS to support biodiversity preservation and restoration efforts.
**Imran Aljunied**
Co-founder of A Little Wild in Ulu Tiram, Johor — a regenerative agroforestry farm transforming former oil palm land into a thriving forest ecosystem through syntropic farming, education, and community-based restoration.
**Abdul Razak Abdul Aziz**
Founder of SEEDS Msia — a pioneer in permaculture and food forest development, integrating indigenous knowledge systems and community-driven ecological design to build resilient food and forest systems across Malaysia.
Together, they bring grounded perspectives from seed conservation, forest regeneration, and community ecology — bridging science, practice, and lived experience.
This forum will explore:
• The ecological role of wild durian and forest biodiversity
• Community involvement in conservation and restoration
• Forests and local livelihoods
• Rethinking how we define value in nature
This is not just a discussion.
It is a reminder that the forest is still speaking — if we are willing to listen.
📅 13 Jun 2026
⏰ 4:00PM – 5:30PM
📍 Forum Area, Earth Fest 2026 (KotaJail, Johor Bahru)
Come join the conversation — and reconnect with the forest in a deeper way.