Panel to tackle poaching in Belum reserve

IPOH: The state government has formed a special committee to come up with more effective and creative measures to curb tresspassing and poaching activities at the Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said efforts by the state government alone were not enough to tackle the problem.

"We need the involvement of other relevant agencies, thus the special commitee will include NGOs like WWF Malaysia, Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) South East Asia and other relevant enforcement agencies," he said.

Zambry said the formation of the commitee was in line with the integratred management plan for the Royal Belum Forest Reserve currently handled by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA).

He said the state government did not want to be seen handling the Belum Forest matters using only government measures and resources.

He welcomed suggestions by WWF and TRAFFIC on the preservation and monitoring of the forest reserve.

The cooperation had started in March 2010, where the state government launched a network called the Belum-Temengor Integrated Enforcement Operation (OPBBT).

“Besides suggestions from WWF and TRAFFIC on rehabilitation and monitoring, we are looking at ideas to upgrade the Belum-Temengor Integrated Enforcement Operation," he said.

The Royal Belum Forest reserve is composed mainly of pristine tropical rainforest, with many river systems, and small grassland areas, some abandoned agricultural plots, and Tasik Temengor, a large man-made lake.

Wildlife surveys show Royal Belum is an important habitat for large mammals like the seladang, Sumatran rhinoceros, Asian elephant and Malayan tiger.