Jumbo deal with Johor plantations

Ling (right) greeting Johor Perhilitan director Aminuddin Jamin before chairing the coordination meeting in Batu Pahat that was also attended by plantation owners. — Courtesy photo

MORE plantation owners are being roped in to help reduce human-elephant conflict in Johor that caused over RM1mil in losses last year.

State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the conflict between wildlife and humans was also rising.

Most of these cases involved elephants which had entered villages and plantations, he said.

“Recently, I chaired a meeting attended by state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Johor National Parks, Malaysia Palm Oil Board and 37 plantation owners.

“In the meeting held in Batu Pahat, Perhilitan tabled its report about recent conflicts and remedial actions,” he said.

Ling, who is also Yong Peng assemblyman, revealed that Kluang, Kota Tinggi and Mersing were the districts that recorded the most cases.

“Throughout 2024, Perhilitan received 253 reports involving human-elephant conflicts in Johor.

“These caused estimated economic losses of RM1.1mil.

“The department also shared satellite data of elephant migration routes in Johor,” he said.

The data also showed 21 locations that have been identified for the setting up of food banks for elephants.

Filepic showing an elephant herd in Jemaluang being tracked by Johor Perhilitan. The food bank initiative involves 21 locations along the pachyderms’ migration route.

These spots are along the border between jungle areas and plantations.

“Perhilitan has already informed the relevant plantation owners and we hope that they will join the food bank programme.

“For plantation owners that are not included in the 21 locations but whose plantations still border the forest, we encourage them to voluntarily set up food banks in their areas,” he added.

Ling advised these plantation owners to contact Perhilitan for more information.

“This move is to lessen the possibility of elephants coming out from their jungle habitats and damaging agricultural crops in search of food.

“It will also avoid conflicts that threaten properties and human lives,” he said.

Ling added that plantation owners who attended the coordination meeting had been urged to forward suggestions and plans to their colleagues and bosses within a month.

“This is to ensure plantation owners fully understand steps that the state government wants to take in addressing human-elephant conflict in Johor, and for them to fund the setting up of the food banks,” he added.