Conserve our natural forests

IN reference to recent news highlighting durian plantations as a threat to Malayan tigers, the issue of forest clearance and its potential threat to biodiversity has been garnering attention in the media. To add more context to this matter, WWF-Malaysia wishes to clarify our comments provided to The Star with regard to the specific issue of forest clearing in Hulu Sempam near Raub, Pahang.

WWF-Malaysia’s work in Fraser’s Hill and its surrounding areas is mainly focused on advocating the establishment of a state park, as these forests function as important water catchment areas. It needs to be noted that the Pahang state government has gazetted most of the forests in and surrounding Fraser’s Hill as protection forests (i.e Permanent Reserved Forests) for water catchment and soil protection purposes. There are small pockets of forests which are still state land forests (i.e not legally protected as forest reserves), including Hulu Sempam.