LENGGONG, May 21 (Bernama) — A conservation project involving the tiger milk mushroom, scientifically known as Lignosus rhinocerus, at the Piah Forest Reserve by Yayasan Bambusa has enabled the reintroduction of the species into its native wild forest habitat.
The project, launched in 2024 in collaboration with the Lanoh Orang Asli community from Kampung Air Bah, has also helped boost the community’s economic standing through their direct participation throughout the project chain.
Yayasan Bambusa founder and chief executive officer Dr Muhammad Hakim Abdullah said the project covers about 100 hectares in Compartment 194 of the forest reserve, which has been identified as a propagation site for the tiger milk mushroom, purported to be one of the few areas where the species is being bred in its natural forest habitat.
“The tiger milk mushroom, which has existed for thousands of years, is a fungal species that has long disappeared from the wild. The project is therefore fully funded by Yayasan Bambusa and managed entirely by the Orang Asli community,” he told reporters at the project site yesterday.
He noted that the mushroom is being developed into a commercial product line, with plans to produce three mushroom-based items, coffee, tea and dipping sauce, adding that the project has already attracted strong demand, including from the United States.
Muhammad Hakim said the project has received full backing from the Perak state government, adding that Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad planted the first tiger milk mushroom seedling at the site in September 2024.
According to him, 500 seedlings have been planted so far, with plans to ramp up cultivation to 2,000 seedlings per month starting in July.
Muhammad Hakim said that aside from its economic value (it can reach up to RM3 per gramme, making it a potentially lucrative source of income), the mushroom is traditionally believed to help with respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung infections.
“Demand for the tiger milk mushroom increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people began paying closer attention to products linked to lung health and the respiratory system.
“Its popularity has been supported by several studies looking into the potential health benefits of the tiger milk mushroom, further boosting consumer interest in products made from the species,” he said.
Muhammad Hakim said the team is also considering replanting 20 species of edible wild mushrooms, alongside various medicinal plants, including gaharu (agarwood), kacip fatimah (Labisia pumila) and tongkat ali (long jack), in the area.
— BERNAMA