The MNS Belum-Temengor Campaign 2006
The campaign aims to achieve the following:
* Gazettement of the Royal Belum State Park
* Extension of the Royal Belum State Park to include the Temengor Forest Reserve
* Protection of a stretch of natural forest flanking the East-West highway from conversion to plantation
The Devastation:
Why Belum-Temenggur?
There are 12 countries around the world that hold more than 75% of all of Earth�s species. Malaysia is one of these 12 countries. Our rainforests hold such treasures that every time a scientific expedition is held at least 1 new species is found or rediscovered.
Malaysia is listed as having the highest number of plant extinctions by the IUCN.
1. The total area of Belum-Temengor is approximately 300,000 hectares, 4 times the size of Singapore. This vast area allows large mammals such as tigers, elephants and rhinoceros to roam and breed and continue to survive.
2. Belum-Temengor is identified in the Malaysian National Physical Plan as an Environmentally Sensitive Area Rank 1. It means that Belum-Temengor is nationally important for flora, fauna and for a healthy environment to the citizens of Malaysia. It is noted in this plan that this forest must be protected and left untouched.
3. It is internationally recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. It is only in Belum-Temengor that you can find all 10 species of the Malaysian hornbills (Yes! Sarawak only has 8!). This includes the Globally Threatened Plain Pouched Hornbills, which can be seen flying in flocks of more than 2000 individuals. In all, 274 bird species arefound here.
4. The forest has more than 3,000 species of flowering plants, which includes 3 species of the Rafflesia (world�s largest flowers), while Cycads, palm-like plants existing since the dinosaur era grow lush among 64 species of ferns and 62 species of mosses
5. It is home to at least 14 globally threatened mammals. These include the Malaysian Tiger (recently recorded as a sub-species on its own apart from the Indo-China Tiger), the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Asiatic Elephant, the Malayan Tapir, White-handed gibbons, etc.
6. The lake in the middle of the Forest Complex is rich with fish life. It has 23 species of freshwater fish and 7 species of turtles.
7. The lake also is an important water catchment area. The dam provides electricity to many major cities in Peninsular Malaysia. Continued logging will cause siltation in the dam hence reducing the long-term viability of Temengor Dam as a water source and facility for generating electricity.
8. The Belum-Temengor Forest Complex is home to many Orang Asli (indigenous) community. Logging strips them of their home, food, livelihood and heritage.
9. Belum-Temengor is one of Malaysia�s wildest places; untouched forest, great wildlife watching opportunities and fantastic landscape views. These provide a greater opportunity for the State Government to earn revenue, an alternative to logging. Responsible ecotourism will bring in many profitable opportunities for the state if the forest is conserved.
10. Belum-Temengor is a national treasure. This vast landscape MUST be preserved for the Malaysian children and for the world. It is a treasure we should not have to lose for the sake of making a fast buck or for short term profiting.
The MNS Belum-Temengor Campaign 2006
The campaign aims to achieve the following:
* Gazettement of the Royal Belum State Park
* Extension of the Royal Belum State Park to include the Temengor Forest Reserve
* Protection of a stretch of natural forest flanking the East-West highway from conversion to plantation
The Devastation:
Why Belum-Temenggur?
There are 12 countries around the world that hold more than 75% of all of Earth�s species. Malaysia is one of these 12 countries. Our rainforests hold such treasures that every time a scientific expedition is held at least 1 new species is found or rediscovered.
Malaysia is listed as having the highest number of plant extinctions by the IUCN.
1. The total area of Belum-Temengor is approximately 300,000 hectares, 4 times the size of Singapore. This vast area allows large mammals such as tigers, elephants and rhinoceros to roam and breed and continue to survive.
2. Belum-Temengor is identified in the Malaysian National Physical Plan as an Environmentally Sensitive Area Rank 1. It means that Belum-Temengor is nationally important for flora, fauna and for a healthy environment to the citizens of Malaysia. It is noted in this plan that this forest must be protected and left untouched.
3. It is internationally recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. It is only in Belum-Temengor that you can find all 10 species of the Malaysian hornbills (Yes! Sarawak only has 8!). This includes the Globally Threatened Plain Pouched Hornbills, which can be seen flying in flocks of more than 2000 individuals. In all, 274 bird species arefound here.
4. The forest has more than 3,000 species of flowering plants, which includes 3 species of the Rafflesia (world�s largest flowers), while Cycads, palm-like plants existing since the dinosaur era grow lush among 64 species of ferns and 62 species of mosses
5. It is home to at least 14 globally threatened mammals. These include the Malaysian Tiger (recently recorded as a sub-species on its own apart from the Indo-China Tiger), the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Asiatic Elephant, the Malayan Tapir, White-handed gibbons, etc.
6. The lake in the middle of the Forest Complex is rich with fish life. It has 23 species of freshwater fish and 7 species of turtles.
7. The lake also is an important water catchment area. The dam provides electricity to many major cities in Peninsular Malaysia. Continued logging will cause siltation in the dam hence reducing the long-term viability of Temengor Dam as a water source and facility for generating electricity.
8. The Belum-Temengor Forest Complex is home to many Orang Asli (indigenous) community. Logging strips them of their home, food, livelihood and heritage.
9. Belum-Temengor is one of Malaysia�s wildest places; untouched forest, great wildlife watching opportunities and fantastic landscape views. These provide a greater opportunity for the State Government to earn revenue, an alternative to logging. Responsible ecotourism will bring in many profitable opportunities for the state if the forest is conserved.
10. Belum-Temengor is a national treasure. This vast landscape MUST be preserved for the Malaysian children and for the world. It is a treasure we should not have to lose for the sake of making a fast buck or for short term profiting.