SAVE THE FIREFLIES OF BUKIT KIARA
Join The Glow Campaign!
This fundraising tracker will update daily at 10pm.
Introduction to
The Glow Campaign
The Glow Campaign is a fundraising and awareness initiative jointly launched by Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) and Conscious to advance ongoing conservation, research and advocacy efforts to protect the fireflies and the biodiversity of Bukit Kiara Forest, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most significant green lungs.
Bukit Kiara Forest
A SHARED HERITAGE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND NATURE
Bukit Kiara is Malaysia’s first and only Federal Park and is home to rich biodiversity, including endangered fireflies, raptors, and native flora.
Once envisioned as a National Botanical Garden, only a portion of its original land has been preserved, with ongoing threats from overdevelopment and encroachment.
Beyond its ecological value, Bukit Kiara serves as a natural water catchment, carbon sink, and beloved community space.
The Fireflies of Bukit Kiara
A SYMBOL OF HOPE AND A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM
In a remarkable discovery, researchers recently found a rare firefly species in Bukit Kiara - one not seen in over 100 years.
With this finding, Bukit Kiara is now home to 9 species of fireflies.
These fireflies, known as the "Goldilocks of the Forest" are bio-indicators of a healthy and balanced ecosystem, as they are extremely sensitive and require just the right conditions to thrive.
The presence of fireflies means that the forest is well. When they are gone, it is the first warning sign that the forest ecosystem is breaking down.
Threats & Dangers
REDUCTION IN FIREFLY POPULATION DUE TO OVERDEVELOPMENT AND ENCROACHMENT
In a 5-year study conducted by FoBK on firefly population that live in Bukit Kiara, a worrying trend has emerged - there has been a significant reduction in the population of fireflies near a water reservoir constructed in 2023.
The above heatmap indicates that construction work impacts the delicate environment that fireflies need to thrive.
In the area marked Parcel A above, the construction of two 30-storey condominium is planned for early 2026.
The Impact of Parcel A
CONSEQUENCES OF TWO 30-STOREY CONDOMINIUM BLOCKS NEXT TO THE FIREFLY HABITAT
Due to the sensitive nature of fireflies, the development in Parcel A, located right next to their habitat, raises serious concerns about the future of this fragile population. While the developer has allocated a 50-metre buffer zone, conservation advocates have raised concerns that this may not be sufficient to mitigate the cumulative impacts of a large-scale, high-rise development on the fireflies and the surrounding flora and fauna of Bukit Kiara.
Our Campaign Goals
TO MOBILISE THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE TO PROTECT MALAYSIA’S GREEN LUNGS
1. Raise funds for FoBK
To further their conservation, research and advocacy efforts to protect Bukit Kiara via The Glow Fund.
2. Raise public awareness of Bukit Kiara’s incredible biodiversity
Mobilise the rakyat to appeal to the developer’s ESG leadership and goodwill to stop development in Parcel A.
3. Kickstart a conservation action plan that protects all of Malaysia’s green lungs
Advocating for 350-500 metre no-development buffer zones so nature and development can coexist.
The Glow Fund
AN IMPACT FUND CREATED FOR OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
The Glow Fund is an impact fund created to sustain and accelerate the conservation initiatives by FoBK. We aim to raise RM400,000 to enable FoBK to execute the following activities:
To fuel its research and advocacy work through field work, legal consultations and strategic policy discussions with relevant stakeholders.
To fund a full-time community education and engagement team for 12-months to develop programmes to raise awareness and educate Malaysians about the importance of conserving our urban forests and its biodiversity.
To build a sustainable revenue stream to ensure long term operational sustainability of its conservation work via strategic IP creation such as edutainment materials (storybooks, animation, etc) and identity merchandise.
About Friends of Bukit Kiara
A COMMUNITY OF GUARDIANS OF THE FOREST
Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) is a non-profit environmental rights organisation that champions the protection and conservation Bukit Kiara.
FoBK engages in strategic collaboration and dialogue with government agencies, and works with community volunteers and scientific partners on biodiversity research on the forest.
It also runs citizen-science initiatives - such as firefly monitoring under the “Magical Mysteries at Bukit Kiara” programme - and engages the public through nature walks, tree planting activities, biodiversity surveys and awareness campaigns.
The Fireflies Of Bukit Kiara Need Your Help
Turn Your Brand Into A Force For Good. Be A Firefly Sponsor!
