dvzhoodvwkhorfdofrppxqlwlhvdqg...headline preserving and conserving tasik chini mediatitle new...

working together: Safeguarding MalaysiasFirst Unesco Biosphere Reserve

PRESERVINGAND CONSERVINGTASK CHINI

ON the east coast of Malaysia inthe state of Pahang, lies TasikChini, the country's second

largest natural freshwater lake filledwith enchanting legends and myths.According to the Orang Asli, thesanctity of Tasik Chini is guarded by aLoch Ness type monster called Naga SriCumum. This legend has added to themysterious charm of Tasik Chini, whichis a popular ecotourism destination forlocal and foreign visitors alike.

Tasik Chini comprises a series of 12lakes, which the Orang Asli communitiescall "Laut" (Sea), a reflection of the lakes'greatness and vastness. In May 2009,Tasik Chini made history by becomingthe first ecological site in Malaysia tobe recognised as a Unesco BiosphereReserve under the "Man and Biosphere"programme.

The Unesco Biosphere Reserve statusis highly important, as it paves the wayfor more researchdriven conservation

and preservation efforts. Not only doesthis help to protect the beauty of TasikChini, it will also act as a reference forother ecological sites in Malaysia and theworld.

PROTECTING TASIK CHINI TOGETHERWhile environmental sustainability is anessential part of the Unesco BiosphereReserve's framework, it also places

equal emphasis on the socioeconomicdevelopment in Tasik Chini and how thecommunity can coexist harmoniouslywith the environment.

"Tasik Chini is a breathtakinglybeautiful natural heritage that ishome to a large variety of flora andfauna. It is also home and a sourceof livelihood to the Orang Aslicommunity. As such, Tasik Chini needs

to be protected. This is why the FederalGovernment, through the East CoastEconomic Region Development Council(ECERDC), has embarked on the StrategicImplementation Plan (SIP) for TasikChini together with the Pahang StateGovernment as well as all stakeholders,including the local communities in TasikChini. This SIP reaffirms our commitment

to conserve and preserve Tasik Chini,"said Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John,chief executive officer of ECERDC.

The SIP covers key initiatives andstrategies up to 2025 via a threephased approach. The Federal andstate governments and agencies arecollaborating underthe SIP, includingthe Pahang state government, theMinistry of Natural Resources and

Environment (NRE), the Departmentof Town and Country Planning, thePusat Penyelidikan Tasik Chini (PPTC)by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

(UKM), the Forest Research InstituteMalaysia (FRIM), the Departmentof Environment, the Departmentof Irrigation and Drainage andDepartment of Fisheries Malaysia,as well as the local communities and

nongovernmental organisations.One of the key measures under

the SIP is the establishment of three

management zones of Tasik Chiniaccording to the Biosphere Reserveframework, namely the Core, Bufferand Transition zones, each with varyinglevels of protection and human activitiesallowed in each zone.

REJUVENATING TASIK CHINI

While conservation and preservationinitiatives are still within the first phaseof rehabilitation, much progress havebeen achieved in Tasik Chini throughthe immediate actions undertaken bystakeholders. For instance, the lotus isblooming and flourishing again in TasikChini today, following rehabilitationefforts which have successfully revivedthe lake's natural ecosystem.

"The fish population in Tasik Chiniis also increasing and thriving withselected native fish species includinglampam, sebarau and kelah introducedthrough an aquaculture approach,"said PPTC head Professor Datuk DrMushrifah Idris."In addition to this, the water

Headline PRESERVING AND CONSERVING TASIK CHINIMediaTitle New Straits TimesDate 15 Oct 2016 Color Full ColorSection Local News Circulation 74,711Page No 20,21 Readership 240,000Language English ArticleSize 1659 cm²Journalist N/A AdValue RM 56,968Frequency Daily PR Value RM 170,904

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quality in Tasik Chini has improvedto Class II from the previous ClassIII in 2008. This is thanks to thecontinuous efforts and monitoring viathe seven water monitoring stations,river cleaning and river bank erosioninitiatives that have rejuvenated TasikChini," she added.More is being done to further

improve its water quality. "Aspecial task force led by the NREwas established to oversee theenforcement, education andimplementation of initiatives in TasikChini. The task force via its four subcommittees, together with the solidsupport of other stakeholders, willcombine efforts to improve thewater quality in Tasik Chini to Class Iby 2018," said Natural Resources andEnvironment Minister Datuk Seri WanJunaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

The Class I water quality is an

important achievement as it enablesthe water in Tasik Chini to be safe for

consumption without any additionaltreatment, except forboiling. This willgreatly improve the overall ecosystemin Tasik Chini while benefiting theOrang Asli community who dependon the lake for their livelihood.

Meanwhile, efforts to replant theforest surrounding Tasik Chini arealso taking shape. In fact, another 350trees will be planted by the communitytogether with the Prime Minister,Datuk Seri Najib Razak today, whichhelps to reduce the overall carbondioxide in the atmosphere in line withthe government's green agenda. The350 trees symbolise the internationallyaccepted and safe limit of carbondioxide emission at 350 parts permillion (ppm) which the governmenthas pledged to achieve.

"These progress demonstrates the

commitment of the Federal and State

governments in protecting the diversityof Tasik Chini for future generations tocome. It also ensures that the livelihood

of the local communities, especially theOrang Asli, are safeguarded," addedIssace.

Given the benefits it brings to theOrang Asli, the importance of protectingthe lake for the future generations takeson greater significance. The ongoingefforts are the first step forward toprotect and conserve Tasik Chini, andrejuvenate this natural heritage as apremier ecotourism destination.

BUILDING AN INCLUSIVECOMMUNITY THROUGHCOMPREHENSIVE ENGAGEMENT

The ongoing preservation andconservation efforts in Tasik Chini

will help to make it as a premierecotourism destination. In fact,sustainable development projectsincluding an Orang Asli CulturalVillage and Handicraft Centre arein the pipeline.

ECERDC has also initiated

two human capital developmentprogrammes to engage the OrangAsli communities, including:

•Empower ECER: The Skills andEntrepreneurship programmeis aimed at uplifting thecommunities' livelihood throughentrepreneurship. Handicraftand motorcycle workshops arecurrently provided for the localcommunity. For children in TasikChini, there is the AcademicTraining programme with tuitionand motivational classes providedfor them to achieve better resultsin their studies.

•Entrepreneur ECER: Aprogramme aimed at elevatingsmall and micro entrepreneursto improve and expand theirbusiness.


"The concerted efforts torejuvenate Tosik Chini willensure that this natural

heritage will be protectedfor generations to come."

DatukSeri

Jebasingam Issace John,Chief Executive Officerof ECERDC

Visitors can enjoy a scenic view and explore the OrangAsli villages by taking ahnnt ride.


visitors expe ie cingurang ash culture ana neritage.

Fishes being released adding to the thriving population inTasik Chini.

ResearchersatPPTC

conductingstudies tomonitorthe water

quality.


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