The local Orang Asli spokesman said that the logging was within the boundary of Taman Negara while a ranger said that the affected area was outside the boundary, and was State Forest Reserve land and thus whether to log or not was within the purview of the State Government. Without a topographical map it was difficult for us to verify the truth. Can the Kelantan State Government verify this?

The Star reported today that the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Datuk Law Hieng Ding has highlighted that land clearing adjacent the boundaries of Taman Negara in Kelantan and Pahang has taken place from satellite images. Following our visit to Kuala Koh this actual ground observation supports what the Minister said.

The buffer zone concept for National Parks should be implemented because our visit to Taman Negara showed that without a buffer zone the beauty and health of the National Park cannot be realised. Oil palm estates came right up to the Park boundary, giving rise to stark contrasts. The rivers in the Park were muddy, just like any other polluted river. There was hardly any animal life. In short - the whole atmosphere that one associates with a national park was absent. What was worse in Kuala Koh was that a short walk from Park Headquarters brought us to a shocking scene of massive forest clearing and destruction. The contrasts were shocking! How is it possible for anyone, including tourists, to enjoy Taman Negara when they see this? No wonder Kuala Koh is not popular!

Dr. SC Leong 
Kelantan Branch, MNS (Letter to the Editor, Star)