Heading Upstream by Mukhriz Hazim

Public Project

Heading Upstream

Copyright Mukhriz Hazim 2024

Updated Jul 2022

Location Taman Negara, Pahang,Malaysia

Topics Environment, Malaysia, National Park, Nature, Rainforest, Taman Negara

Summary

Malaysia faces alarming deforestation, including Pahang's vast forest reserves, while Taman Negara's rich biodiversity, historical significance, and cultural ties highlight the need for urgent conservation efforts.

The world celebrated Earth Day last Friday, April 22. At the same time, Malaysia faced alarming reports that forests in Peninsular Malaysia could undergo deforestation of up to 72,584.73 hectares—roughly the size of Singapore—in the near future. The environmental group Rimba Disclosure Project (RDP) alleged that Pahang had listed the largest forest area for sale in the peninsula in 2021, covering 27,900 hectares.This concern arises because Pahang possesses the largest forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia, currently totaling 1.6 million hectares. Additionally, the Pahang National Park spans the largest area, 2,477 square kilometers, followed by Kelantan National Park at 1,043 square kilometers, and Terengganu National Park at 853 square kilometers.Taman Negara, located at the borders of Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan, was established in 1939 under the Taman Negara Enactment (Pahang) No. 2 and Taman Negara Enactment (Terengganu) No. 6, as well as earlier in 1938 under the Taman Negara Enactment (Kelantan) No. 14. British engineer Theodore Hubback initially lobbied the sultans of Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan to gazette the area at the states’ borders as the King George V National Park. After Malaysia gained independence, it was renamed Taman Negara and placed under the supervision of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan).Taman Negara is known for its main attraction, Gunung Tahan, the highest point in Peninsular Malaysia. It also boasts a 130-million-year-old tropical rainforest rich in biodiversity, including unique flora, fauna, and an undisturbed river ecosystem. The Ulu Tembeling district, which borders Taman Negara, is home to traditional settlements, including several Malay villages such as Kampung Pagi, Kampung Kuala Sat, Kampung Bantal, Kampung Mat Daling, Kampung Gusai, and Kampung Sungai Kucing, which hosts the Semoq Beri Orang Asli tribe. These villagers maintain a unique connection with nature.Historically, Sungai Sepia in Ulu Tembeling was one of Theodore Hubback’s hunting routes. He frequently pursued Seladang (gaur) and elephants along this route, extending into the Kenyir forest in Terengganu. Later in life, in the late 1930s, Hubback transitioned to environmental conservation efforts, playing a key role in the establishment of Taman Negara. He documented his experiences in a book titled Elephant and Seladang Hunting in the Federated Malay States, published in 1905 in London.The river and forest trails of Ulu Tembeling also hold historical significance as one of the pathways used by the famous Pahang warrior, Mat Kilau. According to a historical account by Haji Buyong Adil, there was an ancient kingdom called Temberalinga located near the state’s border, believed to have existed as early as the first century.

PHOTO ESSAY | Heading upstream
Taman Negara shows the importance of protecting the environment.
Malaysiakini.com

Mukhriz Hazim

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