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varieties of Rafflesia were identified in Lojing .
In 2010 , a proposal to gazette an area in Lojing as Rafflesia Conservation Area was sent to the State government by UMK . The Kelantan government then announced the gazettement of the site in July 2011 .
“ After that , many research activities on Rafflesia were conducted in the area .”
Some of the studies on Rafflesia in
Lojing Highlands include :
• Growth and mortality rates
• Pollination
• Seed dispersal
• Host-plant
• Eco-tourism
• Flower scent
MCO is good for Rafflesia conservation
Zulhazman said : “ The movement control order ( MCO ) was good for the conservation of Rafflesia .”
“ No people were visiting the area for more than two years . Many flower buds were found in the area when we visited the place . It shows that when there is no encroachment from the people , many buds are flowering .”
He said his team conducted many public awareness programmes to inform
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people about the existence of Rafflesia in Kelantan . Zulhazman shared that many people still did not know about its presence in the area and often thought the species only existed in Sabah and Sarawak .
“ In 2017 , South Korea awarded the gold medal and special award for our efforts in Rafflesia conservation in Kelantan . In terms of development , a memorandum of understanding ( MoU ) was signed between the Kelantan government and a few bodies in Malaysia to develop the infrastructure and facilities in the area ,” he said .
The inauguration of the Rafflesia Conservation Parks by the Crown Prince of Kelantan , Dr Tengku Muhammad Fa-iz Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail Petrawas held in February 2022 .
“ This means that this area cannot be converted into other land-use . It is officially a conservation area for Kelantan .”
Issues and challenges in Kelantan
Zulhazman said there were still many issues and challenges for Rafflesia conservation in Kelantan despite the numerous efforts . One of them is the large-scale and unsustainable
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Many areas surrounding the Rafflesia Conservation Area have been converted into large-scale agricultural developments . Even though the development is happening outside the protected area , it still impacts the conservation area as it is in one ecosystem .”
– Zulhazman
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agricultural practices .
“ Many areas surrounding the Rafflesia Conservation Area have been converted into large-scale agricultural developments . Even though the development is happening outside the protected area , it still impacts the conservation area as it is in one ecosystem .”
He shared the area also attracted many tourists daily to see Rafflesia . However , the management plan for tourism and conservation was not being formulated . He stated the urgency for the related agencies to develop the strategy and give awareness to the Temiar ethnic group , who live in the area , to protect the flower .
On the way forward , Zulhazman said the Rafflesia Conservation Area in Kelantan would be recognised locally and internationally as an international centre of excellence in nature conservation , eco-tourism and scientific research . — @ Forest
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