Park protection

by marc jourdier

Towards the future: Villagers from Gisigari and Rugari in the Virunga National Park gather to
collect tap water. People living in Africa's oldest wildlife reserve, long threatened by armed
groups and oil prospectors, pin their hopes on sustainable development projects for energy,
agriculture and tourism. - AFP
Africas oldest nature park counts on sustainability.
PEOPLE living in and around Africas oldest wildlife reserve Virunga National Park
threatened by armed groups and oil prospectors, are pinning their hopes on sustainable
development projects for energy, agriculture and tourism.

In the region around the park, about 70km north of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo, villagers struggle to make ends meet. Locals have been battered by 20 years of strife,
including two civil wars and have suffered brutality at the hands of a range of armed
movements and ill-disciplined government troops.
There are no roads or reliable clean water supply, since successive regimes in Kinshasa have
done little to maintain or develop infrastructure left behind at the end of Belgian colonial rule
in 1960.
Under a scorching sun, dozens of workers busily scoured the bed of a future canal that cuts
through the rich vegetation. Once completed, the channel will draw water from the Rutshuru
river to power a 12.6 megawatts hydroelectric station, which by 2015, will bring power to
140,000 people, starting with residents of the town of Matebe, a few kilometres from the
park.
Work on the hydroelectric project began in December, a month after government soldiers
backed by UN troops defeated rebels of the Movement of March 23 (M23) who had seized
control of area.
The canal is one of many projects launched by the Virunga Alliance,
founded in 2008 to instigate sustainable development techniques designed to help the four
million people living in and around the park. The coalition includes park authorities, civil
society groups and members of the local community.
Aiming for investment totalling US$150mil (RM480mil) over 12 years, the Alliance is
funded by a variety of organisations. Among them are the European Union and the Howard
G. Buffett Foundation, a private US charity which works to improve living conditions for
the worlds most impoverished and marginalised populations.
The Alliance intends to promote sustainability in four main sectors: energy, fisheries, agroindustry and tourism. Tourism has the highest profile, as many people associate the Virunga
name with the rare mountain gorillas which live in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. As
well containing the dense forests of the Congo Basin, Virunga also features open savannah,
lakes, high mountains and breathtaking volcanoes.
Deforestation, smuggling and fighting have all depleted Virungas resources in recent years.
Another big threat to the delicate ecosystem came in 2010 when European oil companies
sniffed out possible reserves in the southern sector of the park.
Confronted with a highly vocal campaign by local activists and international environmental
bodies led by conservation group WWF, the British oil company Soco followed the lead of
Frances Total and announced on June 11 that it would stop prospecting inside the park. In
return, the WWF agreed to withdraw a complaint it had lodged with the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development against Soco.
UNESCOs World Heritage Centre director Kishore Rao urged the Congolese government to
follow up ... and cancel all the oil exploration permits granted within the Virunga National
Park, as requested also by the World Heritage Committee.
The 7,800sqkm reserve currently provides work for scores of people, including nearly 175
local recruits in Matebe alone. Angelus Katembo, an engineer, earns US$450 (RM1,440) a
month, or US$15 (RM48) a day. Thats comfortable, he said.

In contrast, unskilled labourers earn around US$3 (RM9.60) a day. One of them, bricklayer
Kasereka Batsholi, said he was just glad to have found work. Further north, near the town of
Beni, a small power station has started production on the outskirts of the national park to
provide electricity for a factory producing palm oil. Once they have electricity, people living
around Virunga will be able to stop burning charcoal, which they often source illegally from
trees they fell.
In Rumangabo, 50km north of Goma, the Virunga Alliance intends to bring drinking water to
the population.
Were very happy, resident Richard Saidi said, as locals currently need to walk 6km to find
clean water. AFP

MNS against caviar project

THE Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) questions the viability and legality of the Felda caviar
production Felda going upmarket in producing homegrown caviar (The Star, June 27).
According to the Fisheries Act 1985 it is illegal to bring into the country an exotic species
such as the sturgeon, but it seems that an exception is given by the Department of Fisheries to
the Siberian sturgeon to be raised by the FGV project.
It is already known that the location of the FGV venture with a South Korean company is to
be located in a 50ha Sg Tabong watershed in Kuala Tahan, Jerantut, Pahang.
Incongruously, the site is located on the left bank of Sg Tembeling, just across from the
Taman Negara canopy walk.
MNS is against the project due to many reasons including that the sturgeon is an exotic
(foreign) species.
Other reasons are:
1) The location of the proposed site Taman Negara, which would allow an escaped sturgeon
to
cause havoc in our precious kelah (Tor tambroides) and temoleh or temelian (Probarbus
jullieni) as well as other species endemic to Malaysia;

2) The majority (about 90%) of the people of Kuala Tahan depend directly or indirectly on
ecotourism in Taman Negara as their main income and they are very much against the
project; and
3) The bulldoze method of the Sturgeon Project incredibly, a project just next to a
national icon and a heritage site was passed without going through the usual feasibility study,
if not an Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) study and report.
Just because the project is financed by Felda and under the umbrella of both the East Coast
Economic Region (ECER) and therefore directly under the Prime Ministers Department, it
does not mean the project can be dumped onto a community and the nearby environment
without the necessary studies and reports.
The lawmakers do not have the exclusivity of breaking the laws they themselves
promulgated!
Recently, Felda Global Ventures (FGV), a Felda subsidiary, launched its inaugural
Sustainability Report on June 16, which was officiated by Plantation Industries and
Commodities Minister, Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas.
During the welcoming speech by the CEO of FGV, Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah indicted
that FGV is committed in taking care of the environment and diodiversity.
Therefore, the sturgeon project at Kuala Tahan is contradictory and hypocritical to the just
launched Sustainability Report.
PROF DR MAKETAB MOHAMED
President, Malaysian Nature Society

#TheYearThatWas: Distressing environmental issues in

Malaysia in 2014
by tan cheng li

It has been a year marked by widespread deforestation, unpredictable weather, wildlife

poaching and potentially destructive development schemes.
Rife with species
Half of Gunung Kanthan in Ipoh, Perak, has been quarried by Lafarge Malaysia but the
untouched part is still a treasure-trove of endemic and new-to-science species. Recent
discoveries include two species of plants, a tree, a gecko and a tiny snail. Nature lovers and
scientists want whats left of the limestone hill to be preserved instead of blasted.

Wise up about water

In late January, taps went dry in Hulu Langat and Kuala Langat in Selangor because of high
ammonia levels possibly from sewage pollution or fertiliser runoffs in a river tapped for
water supply. In March, millions in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur had running taps only every
two days as reservoirs were drying up.
Lessons from the crisis? We have to use water prudently and stop fouling our rivers. It is also
time to consider other water sources, such as recycled wastewater and rainwater.
Not-so-delectable caviar

The controversial sturgeon fish farming project just outside of Taman Negara in Pahang was
put on hold as it had proceed without a detailed environmental impact assessment. Fearing
that the introduction of an exotic species will harm native fish life and affect their income
from ecotourism, the locals have objected to the project by Felda Investment Corp and MMC
Hassed Co Ltd of South Korea.
Imports of live sturgeons are prohibited by Fisheries Departments.

Camerons in calamity
Devastating floods and a mudslide swept away homes, killing five and displacing hundreds in
Bertam Valley and Ringlet in Cameron Highlands on Nov 5, in the latest disaster to hit the
mountainous region.

Accusations of corruption, said to cause widespread illegal land-clearing and land

mismanagement, prompted state authorities to promise action.

From forest to farm

Rubber trees, planted for both latex and timber, are replacing forests. In September, it was
highlighted that 30,000ha of Lesong Forest Reserve in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, have been
cleared for planting latex timber clones. The reason? It was degraded forest, stated Pahang
Forestry Department.

Ecological disaster in Taman Negara?

I REFER to the letter Amend law to allow in sturgeon (The Star, July 4).
The writer may be right that the likelihood of escaped sturgeons surviving in our tropical
rivers is slim but over time, they can adapt to its new environment.
Introducing a large predator like the sturgeon will eventually wipe out much native wildlife.
It would be more feasible to farm local river fish as they command high prices and shorter
breeding time.
On the other hand, Felda settlers excited with the wealth that expensive caviar can bring will
have to wait 15 years before the fish mature to produce roe.
During this long gestation period, anything can happen. A freak accident or quirk in nature
would erase years of hard work.
Such projects should not be allowed at the doorstep of Taman Negara. Many people located
at our national park are depending on sustainable tourism for their livelihood.
The sturgeon farm project next door would not attract but instead drive away nature-loving
and environment-conscious tourists.
We should help our rakyat to embark on safe and steady ventures such as growing cash crops
like papayas and bananas which are fetching high prices.
If there had been proper environmental and social impact assessments on the RM120mil
sturgeon farm project along the Tembeling River, it would not have taken off.
Should we just wait for an ecological disaster to happen at Taman Negara?
YS CHAN
Kuala Lumpur

Malaysias Seven Wonders of Eco-Tourism.

2 Votes
Today is the World Environment Day. June 5 is a day marked with similar objective to annual
Earth Day celebration or Earth Hour event; to create awareness on our need to protect the
planet and its environment through all means. Due to this World Environment Day, there is an
interesting article from The Star Online which features Malaysias own Seven Wonders of
Eco-Tourism (or simply the countrys seven wonders of nature) that I would like to share it
here. Original source of the
article: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/06/05/Environment-7-wonders-ofMalaysian-ecotourism/.
Mulu Caves National Park, Sarawak.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Miri that encompasses caves and limestone karst
formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting. The national park has worlds
largest known natural chamber Sarawak Chamber, found in Gua Nasib Bagus, which is
700m long, 396m wide and at least 70m high. It has been said that the chamber is so big that
it could accomodate about 40 Boeing 747 planes without overlapping their wings. The nearby
Deer Cave is one of the largest single cave passages in the world. Other notable caves in the
region include Benarat Cavern, Cave of the Winds, and Clearwater Cave, the 8th longest cave
in the world and also believed to be the largest cave in the world by volume. When evening
falls, a sight to behold is the millions of bats 12 species in all departing the caves in great
swarms, an event fondly known as the Bat Exodus.
Penang National Park, Teluk Bahang.

Despite only measuring about 29.6 sq km and is one of the worlds smallest national parks,
Penang National Park stood out for boasting one of the most unique biodiversity in Malaysia.
It features five different habitat types; Hill / Lowland Dipterocarp Forest, Mangrove Forest,
sandy beach, unique seasonal meromictic lake, and the open coastal sea. Famous attractions
include mangrove swamp in Teluk Tukun, Monkey Beach, and the meromictic lake in Pantai
Kerachut. There in the lake, one of only three in Asia, salt water and fresh water do not mix,
resulting in different coloured layers that host vastly different and interesting environments.
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Selangor.

Just 30 minutes away from the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur, this huge forest area at Kepong
is declared a national natural heritage for its wealth of flora and fauna. It is a vast tropical
rainforest that is protected and preserved by FRIM, an agency responsible in promoting
sustainable management and optimal use of forest resources by generating knowledge and
technology through research, development, and application in tropical forestry. It has a
Canopy Walkway that offers amazing view of the forest as well of KL.
Royal Belum State Park, Perak.

This state park is located within the Belum-Temenggor Rainforest Reserve Area. Said to be
over 130 million years old, this vast virgin jungle, relatively untouched by human
exploration, is even older than the great Amazon and Congo rainforests. It hosts 10 hornbill
species and over 3,000 species of flowering plants even the worlds largest flower, the
Rafflesia and serves as a natural habitat for 14 of the worlds most threatened mammals,
including the Malayan Tiger, white-handed gibbon, Asiatic elephant, Malaysian sunbear,
Malayan tapir and the Sumatran Rhinoceros. Within the park lies Temenggor Lake, a manmade lake used for water catchment and is Peninsular Malaysias second largest lake.
Taman Negara, Pahang & Kelantan & Terengganu.

Taman Negara has a total area of 4343 sq km, and is believed to be the worlds oldest tropical
rainforest as it is estimated to be over 130 million years old. The national park is home to
some very rare mammals like Malayan tiger, crab-eating macaque, Sumatran rhinoceros,
Malayan Gaur as well as rare bird species like Great Argus, Red Junglefowl and Malayan
peacock-pheasant. There are more than 300 species of fish in the parks many rivers,
including the famed Ikan Kelah or Malaysian Mahseer (a type of game fish). Also located in
the park is Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia.

Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysias most extensive hill stations. It has the size of
Singapore. Developed in the 1930s, it is one of the oldest tourist spots in the country. Apart
from its tea estates, the place is also noted for its cold weather, orchards, farmlands,
waterfalls, rivers, lakes, wildlife, mossy forest, golf course, hotels, museums and Orang Asli
(aborigines). Grab some strawberries, tomatoes and tea, and bought some cactus plants back
home before you leave.
Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu.

Located on north west of Peninsular Malaysia, it comprises of two main islands; Perhentian
Besar and Perhentian Kecil. Both islands are fringed by white sand beach, and the reefs and
crystalline water are host to a wide variety of coral, sea-turtles, jellyfish, small sharks and
reef-fish. The crystalline clear water and the beautiful coral reefs are enough to name this

place as a tropical paradise. It is also home to Turtle Bay, a site dedicated on homing green
and hawksbill sea turtles nesting population.
Out of the list above, I have visited FRIM and Cameron Highlands. These two places arent
that unique or spectacular for me. The one that I wish to visit the most is the Mulu Caves
National Park. And I find it surprising that Mount Kinabalu National Park, Redang Island,
Sipadan Island (to name a few) are not mentioned in the list (pictures of these places in order
below). Nevermind, I will include them as honorable mentions.

Couldnt believe that my country do has a lot to offer not only from its built environment
(Petronas Twin Towers, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Genting Highlands Resort, Petaling
Street, etc) but also from its beauty in nature as highlighted here. Wonderful. Looking for
places with fascinating natural wonders? No need to go out of the country. You can simply
save your time and money and just travel within the country to explore the majestic beauty of
nature here in Malaysia. Sometimes its good enough to be just having Cuti-cuti Malaysia.
Posted: 03 Jun 2011 03:42 PM PDT
KOTA MARUDU: The integrated eco-resource management study conducted on Marudu Bay by a
team of university researchers has almost been completed said Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
He said this at the launch the Marudu Bay Carnival here, the research and development projects
coordinated by the ministry's National Oceanography Directorate involved funding of RM1.2mil.
"The study by three universities spells out sustainable development programmes to preserve the
marine and eco-resources in Marudu Bay, while exploiting the resources to uplift the livelihood of the
people there," he said.
Some of the findings of the studies, such as involving UPM's study on 'Mangrove Ecosystem Study and
Resource Management for Seafood and Sustainable Ecotourism for Coastal Communities' had been
documented.
"As a result of the study, a workshop on eco-tourism management was conducted for 32 participants
from eight villages which have the potential to be developed for eco-tourism.

"The series of workshop exposed participants on the eco-diversity of Marudu Bay, its potentials and
on community-based eco-tourism. It garnered good response from participants and we hope that it
will result in them seriously undertaking eco-tourism as a new business opportunity," he added.
Ongkili said that the UPM study also identified several business opportunities in Marudu Bay
including green tourism, homestays, aquaculture, sea cucumber and cage fish rearing, oyster
breeding, sea transportation, mangrove boardwalks and bird observatories.
Efforts are being made to not only get the local community involved in the ventures but also for
investors to take up the business opportunities in Marudu Bay, which would spur more economic
activities for Kota Marudu, he added.
"Marudu Bay is rich in biodiversity, mangrove swamp and marine resources and its valuable resources
have been documented since more than 400 years ago," he said.
Marudu Bay covers Kudat, Pitas and Kota Marudu districts, up till Pulau Banggi.
Ongkili also urged the people to protect the bay and adhere to sound conservation practices to ensure
sustainability of the marine resources since Marudu Bay is home to over 60 species of almost-extinct
birds, mammals and reptiles.
The Marudu Bay Carnival held at Kpg Tanjung Batu was to celebrate the eco-diversity of Marudu Bay
and spread awareness on the importance of preserving the nature. It has been an annual affair for
Kota Marudu since 2006. Bernama.

10.08.14

Borneo Eco Tours 2014 Finalist

Borneo Eco Tours, based in Malaysian Borneo, has been a pioneer in

responsible nature tours since 1991. Two of their most popular destinations in which they
operate includes the iconic Kinabatangan River, where guests can enjoy their Sukau
Rainforest Lodge and Borneos primates, and Kudat, which provides opportunities for guests
to visit and support cottage industries along the scenic coast.
Heres a snapshot of some of their key achievements, and reasons why Wild Asia has
identified them as one of our 2014 Finalists in the category Best in Community Engagement
and Development

In 1996 Borneo Eco Tours established a non-profit foundation, BEST

Society, to deliver community projects in destinations in which they
operate. To date, this has included installing water tanks to villages with
no access to clean water, medical and dental camps, introducing organic
farming projects in rural areas, and tree planting.

They are very committed to sourcing staff locally, and pride themselves
that 100% local of their team is made up of local people, including

management level. Furthermore, staff have access to great benefits such

as a higher than national minimum wage, medical benefits, recreation
activities, allowances for overtime, and special skills training.

After more than two decades of successful business, Borneo Eco Tours
shares its expertise and access to useful contacts with other budding
entrepreneurs. They have been training local community members in
tourism and supporting them to establish their own social enterprise.
Some examples include: increasing access to markets for artisans (e.g.
beaded jewellery makers, weavers, coconut oil and honey producers),
sending 50 farmers on an organic farming training course, and technical
support to accommodation proprietors.

As big believers in sharing their cultural heritage, many tours include visits
to cottage industries which support the local economy.

To date, their operations have generated approximately $127,000 for

community and environmental projects. They have achieved this by
including a levy on every guests bill which automatically is invested into
local BEST projects.