July-August , 2021 | @ Forest

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The hills around the lake are said to resemble the dragon ’ s back .

Even though there are occasional reports on the sightings , there ’ s still no scientific evidence of the dragon ’ s existence .

The first Biosphere Reserve in Malaysia

Tasik Chini was declared as UNESCO ’ s

A natural heritage that must be admired , appreciated and protected

Tasik Chini is an important ecosystem and wildlife reserve , which also serves as a place for some people to make a living and do recreational activities . It is also home to two Orang Asli tribes , Jakun and Semai .

The iconic Lotus plants

Tasik Chini will be beautifully covered with blooming lotus from June to January every year . The efforts to treat and improve water quality of the lake has helped in preserving the plants .

Source of living for Orang Asli

There are three communities who live near Tasik Chini which are Orang Asli ( Jakun and Semai ), local Malays and the Felda community . Eight-eight per cent of the Orang Asli community who live in Tasik Chini are from Jakun tribe .

Preserved forest heritage

Forest surrounding the lake plays an important role in ecological balance , biodiversity conservation , water

Biosphere Reserve in May 2009 .

This status is important in establishing the image of Tasik Chini as one of the main ecotourism destinations in Malaysia . It also helps to raise public awareness with regard to the preservation and conservation efforts in Tasik Chini .

Rich natural heritage

Here in Tasik Chini , there are at least 87 species of freshwater fish , 304 species of animals in which 189 of them are from bird species .

catchments and source of flora and fauna . Replanting efforts of forest trees have been done at large in this area , to conserve this valuable world heritage and reduce carbon emission intensity .

Continuous water quality monitoring

The water quality in Tasik Chini has improved due to this and many waterbased activities are now allowed in this area . There are 7 water quality monitoring stations in Tasik Chini .

Destination for biodiversity education and research

Research activities by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia are intensified and equipped with many facilities such as labs and accommodation . These facilities are provided by East Coast Economic Region Development Council ( ECERDC ).

What is Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve ?

It is a unique combination of wetland ecosystem and tropical rainforest which has been declared by UNESCO ’ s Human and Biosphere Programme

When was it declared as part of UNESCO ’ s Human and Biosphere ?

In 2009

How large is Tasik Chini area ?

Around 69.22km ²

How many UNESCO biosphere reserves are there in the world ?

There are 669 reserves which represent 120 countries

Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina

Blowpipe activities

Iconic Lotus

Pahang Royalty .

The project site is in the middle of Som Forest Reserve . Its operation , if the EIA is later approved , will also affect the Central Forest Spine . The EIA report stated that no reclamation and rehabilitation effort could undo the significant damage to wildlife habitats caused by the project . The damage would be irreversible and permanent .

The report also stated that the mining lease for Lot 15523 belonged to Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri ’ ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ’ s younger sister , Tengku Nong Fatimah Sultan Ahmad Shah . The lease was expected to expire on July 24 , 2021 . However , according to the project timeline , site clearing for the mining operations will only begin in August 2021 .

Tengku Nong Fatimah had appointed Golden Prosperous Resources as the contractor for the project through Sutera Manja Sdn Bhd . The royal was said to own 70 per cent of the company ’ s shares .

Golden Prosperous Resources then shared their professional consultant had addressed wildlife conservation and protection in the EIA report , which was already sent to the Department of Environment for approval . It also stated that the government would keep track of the mining activities from time to time .

The first Biosphere Reserve in Malaysia

Tasik Chini was accorded Biosphere Reserve status by UNESCO in 2009 . The area consisted of wetlands , Chini Hill and Tasik Chini State Park Reserve Forest . The natural freshwater lake and the gazetted State park are home to many species of flora and fauna .

The National University of Malaysia ( UKM ) had also taken the initiative to form a research centre in the area which help to manage and sustain the natural lake at Tasik Chini .

According to UNESCO , biosphere reserves are ‘ learning places for sustainable development ’. The sites of the reserves are used to understand and manage changes and interactions in the ecosystem through interdisciplinary approaches .

This includes the social system , ecological system , conflict prevention and biodiversity management . Its website stated 714 sites had been designated as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves .

Tasik Chini is one of the sites in Malaysia which is eligible for the title .

However , due to deforestation and mining activities , Tasik Chini may lose this status . Intense restoration and preservation efforts need to take place immediately to rectify this issue so that Tasik Chini could keep its UNESCO ’ s Biosphere Reserve status . — @ Forest