Dear Sir,

Re: Logging in Belum

It is heartening to note that the Menteri Besar of Perak has categorically denied that a logging licence has been given to Cenderla Ltd. or to any other company for that purpose in the Sungai Halong area of Belum, Hulu Perak. On behalf of the members of MNS Perak Branch I wish to convey our heart-felt thanks to the Menteri Besar of Perak Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib for assuring us that there is no logging in Belum forest and that the company was only carrying out "Forest stocking" (NST November 8 1998). We also heartily welcome the declaration by the Menteri Besar of Perak that Belum forest will be turned into a state park like Taman Negara in Pahang (The Star November 7).

Our concern stem from the fact that from what we know the area south of the East-West Highway is the Temenggor forest reserve land under the "production forest" classification which means logging can be carried out if the State Government decides so at any time in the future! Hence we hope that the State Government would specifically declare that the entire Belum forest area including the Temenggor Forest Reserve be declared a State Nature Park so that the minds of all concerned citizens will be put at ease and assured of the intention of the State Government.

All interested parties should be invited to participate in preserving the pristine condition of this beautiful piece of wilderness -- God's gift to Perak (and Malaysia). Where man has destroyed rehabilation work has to be carried out with a strong passion for preservation and conservation so that no foreign flora, fauna and short-term unsuitable infrastructure introduced into such a beautiful place. Buffer zones should also be instituted so that the natural flora and fauna will not face any disruptive elements which will lead to confrontation with man and modernity. Hence a deeper understanding of our precious natural resource such as Belum forest is necessary to enable a knowledgeable group to draw up proper plans which will benefit all parties concerned and to ensure that all action taken would be in harmony with nature so that its natural and other products (electricity and drinking water) will be sustainable well into the future.

In view of these developments, the Malaysian Nature Society would be most willing to participate in helping the Perak State Government in drawing up plans to manage a State Park as the Society has over years gained invaluable experience in planning, implementing and running Nature parks as in Kuala Selangor and Endau Rompin (MNS has a five-year contract to develop and run the Nature Education Resource Centre). Based on such experience State governments would be provided with better conceived plans and would be better prepared to avoid costly mistakes and pitfalls which will lead to irreparable damage to the park, bad publicity and public outrage. Certain state governments are working together with the MNS and the respective branches to manage their natural resources and have found it to be profitable. I hope the Perak Government will also extend the same to the MNS so that the people can live in harmony with nature and prosper from it as long as possible.

Once again I wish to congratulate the Menteri Besar of Perak Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib and the Perak Government for declaring their stand regarding logging in Belum and that it would become a state park. This certainly augurs well for not only nature-lovers in Perak but for all citizens as we can expect to preserve our natural heritage and manage it well in perpetuity for our future generations.

Yours Sincerely,

Cheaw Hon Ming

Chairman,
Malaysian Nature Society,
Perak Branch