January-February , 2021 | @ Forest

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By PEARL LEE

The wildlife conservation team focuses on the Royal Belum State Park in Perak , one of the most diversified wildlife hotspots globally . It is the last bastion of an untouched , pristine forest .

Menraq , or ‘ our people ’ in the Jahai language , is making big leaps to ensure the survival of the tiger species in Royal Belum while uplifting their community through wages earned from their hard work .

A brainchild of the Perak State Parks Corporation and non-governmental organisation Rimau , Menraq was set up in 2019 to save the Malayan Tiger .

Speaking to Twentytwo13 , Perak State Parks Corporation director Shah Redza Hussein said there were 60 to 70 tigers in the Belum-Temenggor forest area seven years ago , but there are only 20 now .

The figures were obtained in a study by the World Wildlife Foundation ( WWF ) three years ago .

“ Hunters from Vietnam , Cambodia and Laos come here using visitor visas

and work as plantation and construction workers . But they are brought in by syndicates to poach for wildlife ,” said Shah Redza .

“ These poachers will set up big wire nests aimed at tigers . But other animals like bears , panthers or porcupines also become victims . These animals bring in money , but the poachers hit the jackpot when they get a tiger .”

Shah Redza ’ s priority upon being appointed Perak State Parks Director in 2018 was to ensure poaching was stopped in Royal Belum .

Although there were forest rangers , more had to be done to ensure the Malayan Tiger ’ s survival .

“ Having lived in the forest all their lives , they ( the Jahai ) know the forest better than anyone else .

“ The population of 20 will be halved within 24 months . It will then become unviable for the Malayan Tiger to reproduce in such a large landscape ( 117,500 ha ) as their main food source , the samba deer , is also being poached .”

The State park worked with WWF and believed the Orang Asli should play a more prominent role in the conservation effort .

The challenge , however , was to ensure the natives understood conservation from a modern perspective .

Menraq was set up in 2019 with five members with initial funding of RM50,000 from Rimau .

( Centre ) Shah Redza ( far left ) with Menraq members .

( Top Right ) Menraq members are taught to read maps .

“ They had to show commitment during training , and they were also screened on their technical capabilities … if they could pick up essential reading , read maps , follow instructions and understand GPS ( Global Positioning System ).

“ Those selected will go on to patrol the forest for 10 to 15 days in a month . They get RM85 a day , and on other days they can collect bamboo or catch fish to supplement their livelihood .”

Through the scheme , a contribution of RM10 is given to the village community chest daily for every Menraq member who goes on patrol .

“ This year , we plan to expand the Menraq team to 21 . This means their village can earn a minimum of RM2,000 a month .

“ The buy-in from the village elders is very high . Their youth can earn a living , and there is also income for their village ,” he said .

Shah Redza hailed the programme as a success .

Poaching in Royal Belum has been reduced by 90 per cent through joint efforts by Menraq , Royal Belum forest rangers and WWF .

“ Four years ago , there were hundreds of snares and traps in Royal Belum . The team has helped destroy these snares to a point it has frustrated the poachers ,” Shah Redza said .

“ We are forcing them ( the poachers ) to reduce their activities . They may have even given up going into Royal Belum .”

However , they cannot recruit beyond 21 members as funding is paramount to the programme ’ s success .

“ Rimau sources the funds . We cannot do so on our own as we are a government agency ,” he said .

Rimau raises money through its initiatives , including donations from entities and individuals . — @ Forest

the first devices in Malaysia last year in the Klang River to resuscitate the State ’ s polluted rivers and to clear them of garbage .

Deploying Interceptors on a large scale is necessary to rapidly address the urgent problem of ocean plastic pollution . The Ocean Cleanup is partnering with Mhe-Demag because of their expertise and worldwide footprint .

Laying the groundwork for global scaleup , Interceptors 005 and 006 are currently being manufactured simultaneously at Mhe-Demag ’ s facility in Klang and are expected to be completed in May 2021 .

Moving forward , Mhe-Demag will handle Interceptor manufacturing , installation , and maintenance ; local partners will oversee operations , and The Ocean Cleanup will continue to act as the technology and best practices provider as well as lead business development for upcoming Interceptor projects .

Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup , Boyan Slat , remarked : “ At the end of a very challenging year , I am happy to see series production begin for the Interceptor .

“ This is a necessary step for us to tackle the global flow of plastic pollution to our oceans at scale . I believe Konecranes is well-suited for the job and I look forward to seeing them build many more Interceptors in the coming years .”

The Ocean Cleanup ’ s Interceptor was unveiled in late 2019 . Three are deployed in Klang , Jakarta and Santo Domingo ( Dominican Republic ). A fourth Interceptor , in Vietnam , is expected to be launched early in 2021 . — @ Forest

Interceptors 005 and 006 being manufactured in Klang .