Pahang government’s efforts to improve site management help preserve recognition
TASIK Chini has successfully maintained its United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Biosphere Reserve status, says Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
He said this was decided at the 35th session of the International Coordinating Council of Man and the Biosphere Programme (ICC MAB35) in Paris, France.
“Tasik Chini was the first biosphere reserve site in Malaysia to receive this recognition in 2009.
“The Pahang state government through the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Ministry submitted a periodic review report after 10 years of recognition for re-evaluation by the Unesco Secretariat.
“The ICC MAB35 meeting decided that the periodic review of Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve, Pahang has met the criteria of the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves,” he said in a statement.
Wan Rosdy said ICC MAB35 made the decision based on the recommendations of the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves, taking into account efforts by the Pahang government to improve the management of the Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve site.
“These include updating the zoning to maintain the function of the Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve site, gazetting the Chini Permanent Forest Reserve, establishing the Pahang State Park Corporation and implementing a moratorium on mining activities.
“The ICC MAB35 decision is very meaningful to the Pahang government,” said Wan Rosdy, adding that the state was committed to keeping the status.
It was reported last year that Unesco required Malaysia to inform the world body about plans to restore Tasik Chini and its surroundings.
Wan Rosdy said the national delegation was also represented by the Pahang government and the Office of the Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to Unesco.
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