Conserving Malaysia's magnificent rainforest

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 08 — Malaysia has a rich tropical rainforest known as the Royal Belum. Conserving this rich natural habitat is a challenge. However, one cannot but be mesmerized by its sheer natural beauty.

Come to Malaysia and enjoy the rich tropical rainforest experience. Does this sound like the all too familiar and common advert? Am I trying to sell Malaysia's natural and God blessed heritage? No, of course not. Rather, I am trying to create an awareness of this magnificent place that needs to be preserved.

In order to see and experience this wonderful place, take a field trip to Kuala Kenyir, land of the Rafflesia, which comes with a host of scintillating visual appeal scenarios such as a visit to Orang Asli - Malaysia's Aboriginal village, and a stimulating nature walk through the jungle tracking Rafflesia.

A must-do exploration of the Temenggor Lake is definitely on the cards. Don't miss the irresistible island tour, to visit the Salt Lick, Gua Cermin and Kubang Gajah (elephant playground) besides other scenic spots. Enthusiasts should take this as a clarion call of the sheer magic and majesty of the rainforest.

The benefits of visiting the rainforest are manifold. The beauty of rich wildlife and wild landscape is a sight to behold. This gives one the opportunity to obtain information on the latest developments in the Royal Belum and a way to address issues and conflicts peculiar to its conservation. This can help establish a collaborative network of researchers, nature lovers and industry practitioners.

So, are your objectives in sync? The objectives, whatever they may be, to visit the Royal Belum would indeed be commendable. For ardent nature lovers, a visit would serve a good platform for constructive input, increase awareness on challenges to preserve and conserve the rainforest and its heritage while harnessing its worth through various economic and social development opportunities - biotechnology, pharmacology and eco-tourism, to name a few.

Other specifics would be to identify its environmental, cultural and economic values and determine how these can be maintained through sustainable management. Scientists and lay workers may want to work out strategies and recommendations in brand-positioning and discovery and write original experiences on the treasures and adventures associated with it.

Malaysia is one of the only twelve mega-biodiverse countries in the world. It harbours its best kept secret in the Royal Belum. The Belum Valley or Upper Belum, bordering the East-West Highway and the Thai border, sits squarely on 117,500 hectares of mountains, jungles and a tropical rainforest.

The Royal Belum, previously inaccessible and largely unexplored due to security reasons, now offers scientists and potential researchers the rare opportunity to discover the area and its environments.

Naturally, there are concerns from various quarters on preserving and conserving this great heritage. However, without a shade of doubt, it provides practitioners a triple-way forward to exhange ideas, learn about Mother Nature's gifts and make ways for bona fide developments.