New Straits Times, 3 Oct 13;
THE Belum Temenggor Forest Complex and neighbouring Aman Jaya Forest Reserve have been named the country’s new eco-tourism hubs and the hornbill capital of the world.
These were the conclusion made at the International Hornbill Expedition (IHE) 2013, held in Belum Rainforest Reserve in Gerik, Perak last month.
While Belum is reputed to be more than 130 million years old, the oldest in the world, Aman Jaya Forest Reserve is a newly gazette Permanent Forest Reserve. It is a 3km-wide development corridor flanking the East West Highway along Gerik and Jeli that separates Royal Belum State Park and Temengor Forest Reserve.
The two are home to 10 hornbill species including the plain-pouched, namely the white-crowned, bushy-crested, wrinkled, wreathed, black, oriental pied, rhinoceros, great and helmeted hornbills.
These birds are totally protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, and have made the Belum Temenggor Forest Complex an Important Bird Area (IBA) recognised by Birdlife International.
Birdlife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global bio-diversity, while also working with the public towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.
A joint-effort between the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Tourism Malaysia, the IHE was held to coincide with the migration period of the globally threatened Plain- pouched hornbills found at the site.
The three-day expedition saw international participants, local bird watchers and nature guides taking part in a bird-a-thon while young adults were involved with the Hornbill Education camp.
