Malaysian Nature Then and Now

Before the independence of Malaya in 1957, Malaya have many beautiful natural wonders all over the country, many of them has been reserved as protected forests, state park, and national park. These state park and national park have seen many changes since Malaya reached its independence. Among the most well known of all the national park is Kuala Tahan State park.

Kuala Tahan National Park is indeed one the oldest rainforests in the entire world, estimated at 130 million years old. The abundance and diversity of nature is phenomenal in Taman Negara, one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems. It was established at the Titiwangsa Mountains, Malaysia, in 1938/1939 as Gunung Tahan Game Reserve. Then declared as King George V National Park in 1938 by the Sultans of 3 states Pahang, Trengganu and Kelantan. Taman Negara Pahang is the largest at 2,477 km², followed by Taman Negara Kelantan at 1,043 km² and Taman Negara Terengganu at 853 km².The park has been developed into a famous ecotourism destination in Malaysia. There are several geological and biological attractions in the park. Gunung Tahan is the highest point of the Malay Peninsula; climbers can use Kuala Tahan or Merapoh as their departure point. Taman Negara is the home of some rare mammals, such as the Malayan Tiger, Crab-eating macaque, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Great Argus, Red Junglefowl, Malayan Gaur and Asian elephant. Among the birdlife, the rare Malayan Peacock-Pheasant is still found here in some numbers. Tahan River has been preserved to protect the Malaysian mahseer (ikan kelah in Malay), a type of game fish.

Apart from government agencies that protect Malaysians natural heritage, nature has many more allies that help to fight for their existence in this world. Among them is then non-government, non-profit organization known as Malaysian nature society. It was first established, as the Malayan Nature Society, with the launch of the Malayan Nature Journal, in 1940. Initially primarily as a scientific organisation, today MNS is involved in a wide range of environmental activities and campaigns. In 2008 MNS was awarded the inaugural Merdeka Award for the environment, primarily for its efforts in campaigning for the protection of the Belum-Temengor forests of Malaysia. MNS is a voluntary, membership-based organisation with approximately 3800 members.

There are many changes that we can see in Malaysian natural environment over the past 55 years of merdeka. Some are positive and some are negative changes. One fact remains is that we cannot avoid these changes, but we can try to make it better for the people as well as the wildlife of Malaysia.

Here is a video of the wonders of Malaysia for readers to view.

Reference:

www.taman-negara.com/ 

www.tamannegara.org/

www.mns.my/