The Greater Ulu Muda Forest is priceless

Fruitful: Irrigation with water from the Greater Ulu Muda Forest enables double cropping in the padi fields of Kedah and Perlis, which contribute up to 50% of the nation’s rice production. — Filepic/Muda Agricultural Development Authority

THE Friends of Ulu Muda (FOUM) is a coalition of organisations and individuals working to protect the 160,000ha Greater Ulu Muda Forest. This forest plays an important role in supporting the livelihoods and well-being of the people of Kedah, Penang and Perlis. It is an irreplaceable part of Malaysia’s – and the world’s – natural heritage.

Recently, the Kedah state government announced its intention to give out replacement logging concessions to avoid legal claims from 40 logging companies amounting to RM1.5bil. However, the true value of the Greater Ulu Muda Forest is much greater than RM1.5bil in terms of its socioeconomic value and its role in preserving the identity and heritage of Kedah and surrounding regions.