IPOH: The Perak government is studying the feasibility of establishing a food bank and buffer zones near natural habitats to mitigate escalating human-elephant conflicts in the state.
State Science, Technology, Innovation, and Environment Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said the initiative addresses growing concerns over shrinking natural habitats and rising wild elephant populations, which are driving the animals into human settlements and agricultural land in search of food.
The proposal follows recent elephant intrusions into fruit orchards in Bukit Bangkong, Chemor. Since Sept 27, recurring raids have severely damaged crops and infrastructure in the area.
“Elephant disturbances can be seasonal, particularly during the fruiting season, when the animals venture out into human settlements,” Teh told reporters after launching the Perak-level National Environment Day and World Ozone Day celebrations at a shopping mall here on Saturday (Oct 17).
Teh disclosed that the Perak Forestry Department and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) are currently collaborating to identify suitable sites for the proposed food bank and buffer zones.
“Both departments must work together to determine if a designated zone can successfully keep the elephants contained within their natural habitat,” Teh said, noting that Perak does not currently have an elephant food bank, unlike states such as Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, and Kelantan.
However, he acknowledged the practical hurdles of wildlife management, stating that elephants might not strictly remain within designated sanctuary areas.
“No final decision has been made on the proposed food bank or buffer zone at this stage,” he added. Also present at the event was Perak Environment Department director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh.
On Friday (Oct 16), Bukit Bangkong Agricultural Land Operators Association member Abdul Rahim Ahmad raised concerns over the recurring wild elephant intrusions. He reported three separate incursions—on Sept 27, Oct 3, and Oct 11—affecting 9.7 hectares of agricultural land and impacting 12 farmers.
Abdul Rahim noted that farmers who started cultivating the land in 2018—growing high-value crops like durian, coconut, jackfruit, and banana—previously contended with tiger sightings, but are now facing severe losses due to wild elephants.
Addressing open burning and haze issues in Perak, Mohammad Ezanni assured that enforcement action against illegal open burning remains active despite mild local conditions.
He stated that the department carries out daily patrols and enforcement sweeps, including issuing compound notices, to prevent open burning during the current dry spell.
“While local open burning cases are not particularly severe, enforcement remains continuous. We remind the public to cooperate and refrain from open burning, especially when regional haze levels are already significant,” Ezanni said.
He added that the department continuously monitors air quality 24/7 across five key monitoring stations in Perak, spanning from Tanjung Malim to Taiping, with hourly index readings.
