Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ, ALLISON LAI and R. ARAVINTHAN
WHERE thousands of lotus blooms once floated on Tasik Chini, only memories remain now, Utusan Malaysia reported.
Residents said the annual spectacle that made the lake a magnet for tourists and a symbol of Pahang has become increasingly rare, raising concerns over the changing face of one of the country’s most treasured ecosystems.
Yom Johar, 56, who lives in Kampung Tanjung Puput, Pekan, said the absence of the lotus flowers caused the lake to lose its panoramic view, which used to draw visitors from within and beyond Pahang.
“In the past, June to September was the season for blooming, but over the past few years, the flowers have become increasingly less visible,” he said.
“The villagers may not question this matter much because we value the lives and lands of our ancestors more, but it’s strange that the lake’s radiance has disappeared.”
The loss is also felt by the Orang Asli Jakun community who have inhabited the area around Tasik Chini for generations because the lake was not only a source of life, but also part of their history and heritage.
Yom said there should be efforts to restore the original beauty of the ancient lake, which is surrounded by rainforests estimated to be more than 100 million years old.
Akid Huat, 68, said previous generations knew Tasik Chini through the uniqueness of its nature, the blooming lotus flowers and the legend of the Tasik Chini dragon.
Tasik Chini, which covers an area of 4,498ha, has a rich biodiversity.
It is the second largest lake in the peninsula and is recognised as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.
(The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
