virescens, a rare spectacularly

Bulbophyllum virescens,

Orchids
colored and very large orchid growing at
Sungai Wi.

OF THE
CAMERON
HIGHLANDS

Wild Orchids are the ambassadors of the Cameron Highlands

Indicators for the ‘health’ of
the environment
REACH is run by a group of volunteers
who were concerned about losing our
natural forests and the contamination of
our rivers. Their main goal is creating
public awareness on these environmental
issues as well as conducting studies on
river water quality and forest bio-
diversity. The habitat of orchids is
nowadays severely threatened by massive
forest clearing for agricultural expansion
and urban development, climate change,
and over-collection of wild orchids from
forests reserves for commercial pur-
poses. Due to the lack of data and
records no one knows actually how
many species of orchids have become
endangered or extinct. Therefore
REACH decided to embark on the challenge. From our research it became
documentation of wild orchids of the clear that much more orchids are found
highlands. Orchids are spectacular in the Cameron Highlands than the 300
ambassadors of the natural forest, and previously stated; so far we have counted
highly sensitive for habitat destruction. over 605 species! The Cameron
This makes them ideal ‘indicators for Highlands is a real orchid haven. But
the health of the environment’. one at stake if the current rate of
unsustainable development continues..
Orchids are found in almost every
region of the earth and in Peninsular
Malaysia alone there are approximately REACH Orchid Survey:
850 different species, of which 300
species are said to be found in the Species of Wild Orchids 605
highlands. REACH' wild orchid survey Newly recorded Genus 1
and documentation began in April 2002.
The survey has been a difficult task as Newly recorded Species 22
this family group is so diverse that
classification and identification of all the
New Forms 35
species recorded has been a great

Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands was formed by several

residents of the Cameron Highlands who were concerned about environmental
Support REACH problems in the Cameron Highlands. It was officially registered on 6th September
2001. REACH and aims "to conserve Cameron Highlands as an area of natural
resources and as a natural heritage, a highland resort surrounded by permanent
forest reserve and sustainable agriculture with quality drinking water".