Malaysia: Taman Negara faces trespassing menace

New Straits Times 18 Jul 12;

ENCROACHMENT: Perhilitan seeks soldiers' help to curb poaching

THE Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) plans to reactivate its collaboration with the armed forces to combat poaching and other illegal activities in Taman Negara here.

Pahang's Taman Negara superintendent Fakhrul Hatta Musa said encroachment into the park was usually by illegal immigrants who poached wildlife and stole gaharu wood, which fetched a high price on the market.

"We find it difficult to track them down as Taman Negara covers a vast area bordering three states -- Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang," he said after an expedition programme with the Media and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry here.

The programme was held between July 13 and 15 at the Pahang Taman Negara and South Jenderak Wildlife Conservation Centre to brief the media on Perhilitan's work.

Also present was Natural Resources and Environment Ministry head of corporate communications Yamuna Perimalu.

Previously, Perhilitan and the armed forces had collaborated from 2002 to 2007, but halted the exercise due to the high costs involved, said Fakhrul.

"So far, the situation is under control and we have managed to detain a number of trespassers, both local and foreign, from January this year," he said.

Apart from the Armed Forces, Perhilitan also plans to work with the police, Immigration and Customs Department and other authorities in relation to offences committed by trespassers, he added.

He urged the public and related non-governmental organisations to play a more active role and inform Perhilitan of encroachments or the sale of wildlife and plants from the park.

Describing Pahang Taman Negara, he said it covered 248,121ha, and was mostly hilly terrain, with the three highest peaks being Mount Teku, Mount Tangga Dua Belas and Mount Tahan.

"The Sungai Tahan, which starts from Mount Tahan, is the park's main water way.

"Pahang Taman Negara has a rich diversity of flora and fauna, like the Sumateran Rhino, tigers, primates and several species endemic to the area, including birds and fresh water turtles," said Fakhrul, who was director of the Institute of Biodiversity, Bukit Rengit, Lanchang, Pahang, before being appointed to the park post last month. Bernama