Collaboration to focus on biodiversity documentation, community engagement and environmental awareness at the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve
PENANG 10 July 2026 – Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) and Canon Marketing Malaysia (“Canon”) have formalised a five-year strategic collaboration to support conservation, biodiversity documentation, and environmental awareness initiatives at Penang Hill.
Under the collaboration, Canon has been engaged as the Official Imaging Partner of PHC, contributing its imaging technologies and expertise in professional cameras and high-quality print solutions to help document and showcase the ecological significance and beauty of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR). Canon has been a strong supporter and active sponsor of the Penang Hill Festival since its inception in 2018.
Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme since 2021, the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR) covers Penang Hill and its surrounding areas, spanning 12,481 hectares and home to more than 2,000 species of flora and over 500 species of fauna, making it Malaysia’s only urban-adjacent coastal and terrestrial rainforest ecosystem of its kind.
The partnership will support PHC’s ongoing biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness initiatives in collaboration with Canon, including bird biodiversity documentation, photography and videography workshops, conservation exhibitions, and the development of birdwatching spots across Penang Hill.
“Guided by the philosophy of ‘kyosei’, living and working together for the common good, this partnership reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. We believe imaging can be a powerful tool to elevate conservation and awareness efforts. Through this partnership, we are bringing Canon’s strengths in imaging to support the documentation of Malaysia’s natural heritage while encouraging greater appreciation for biodiversity,” said Masato Yoshiie, President and CEO of Canon Marketing Malaysia.
Dato’ Cheok Lay Leng, General Manager of Penang Hill Corporation, added, “Penang Hill is not only a popular ecotourism destination, but a vital biodiversity and ecological asset that must be preserved responsibly. As a Biosphere Reserve, it serves as a living laboratory and testbed for conservation, research, and education, supported by community participation.
This partnership strengthens our commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness by enhancing documentation efforts and public engagement. It further reinforces Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve’s vision as a model for sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship, delivering lasting benefits for nature and future generations”.
As part of the collaboration, Canon will provide professional cameras and lenses to support PHC’s Bird Documentation Project, creating a long-term visual archive of bird species within the Biosphere Reserve. This archive will serve as a valuable reference for research, education, and conservation awareness, developed in close collaboration with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), drawing on their expertise in birds.
Both PHC and Canon will also jointly organise annual photography and videography workshops at Penang Hill, including programmes held during the Penang Hill Festival, to encourage greater public appreciation for nature conservation through visual storytelling.
In addition, selected bird photographic works featuring native and migratory species found at Penang Hill will be exhibited at the Penang Hill Station, while five dedicated birdwatching spots will be introduced to improve accessibility for visitors, photographers and birdwatching enthusiasts. The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of PHC and Canon towards conservation, biodiversity awareness, and sustainable public engagement, bringing together environmental stewardship and imaging expertise.
To learn more about sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship efforts by PHC and Canon, please visit their respective official websites: Penang Hill Corporation and Canon Malaysia.
