Pahang committed to continuous efforts in conserving Tasik Chini
05 Sep 2023 10:57pm
Chini Lake - FILE PIC
In expressing his gratitude and pride that Tasik Chini has managed to maintain the Man and the Biosphere Reserve (MAB) status under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), he said the area has gone through vast changes.
"Previously, 80 per cent of the area were barren land but now they are all green. It is not easy to restore Tasik Chini, so well done to everyone involved.
"I hope that our efforts to preserve nature's treasures in Pahang will continue to be intensified so that the flora fauna habitat will continue to be preserved and protected," he said at the closing of the Ulu Cheka Forest Biodiversity Scientific Expedition Seminar in Jerantut near here and a ceremony to celebrate Tasik Chini's recognition under the UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme here today.
Also present were Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) deputy secretary-general Abdul Wahid Abu Salim and Pahang state secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Yaacob as well as the state administrative line-up.
Wan Rosdy also informed that the state government intends to make the Mossy Forest in Cameron Highlands, which is famous for its unique flowerless plants, as the second biosphere reserve site in Pahang
Meanwhile, NRECC Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said to maintain the Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve Site status was of great significance for the country because it manifests the collective efforts of the federal and state governments as well as various stakeholders including researchers and the local communities.
"NRECC congratulates the Pahang government and hopes that efforts will continue to improve and strengthen the management of the Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve Site," he said in a statement today.
Tasik Chini is the first biosphere reserve site in the country to be recognised in 2009 and the achievement in maintaining its status was announced during the International Coordinating Council Meeting of the 35th Session of the International Coordinating Council of Man and the Biosphere Programme (ICC MAB35) on June 13 in Paris after meeting the criteria of the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
Apart from Tasik Chini, Malaysia has two other biosphere reserve sites namely the Crocker Range in Sabah which was recognised in 2014 and Bukit Bendera, Penang which was recognised in 2021.
Each biosphere reserve site must submit a periodic review report after 10 years of recognition for re-evaluation by the UNESCO secretariat.
NRECC, according to Nik Nazmi, is always committed to supporting the state government's efforts in conserving existing biosphere reserve sites and nominating potential areas as new sites in the future - BERNAMA
