[Tan Cheng Li:] I am surprised to find that such a forest exists in a place known more for swimming and picnics – the popular Teluk Batik beach in Lumut, Perak. I had joined a team of researchers from local universities and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), who were there for a quick survey in late January to determine the area’s trove of flora and fauna. The ultimate aim is to turn it into a nature park, with the endorsement of the landowner, Vale Malaysia Minerals. Botanists are excited with the prospects as the area is one of the country’s few remaining tracts of coastal hill forests, plus it hosts an endemic tree, the Shorea lumutensis. “We’re looking at an endangered habitat of high conservation priority,” says MNS head of conservation Balu Perumal. He says this kind of forest is not widespread and now, can only be found in very few places – Pantai Acheh in Penang, Tanjung Tuan in Port Dickson, Bukit Melawati in Kuala Selangor, and the coastline between Lumut and Segari in Perak. [ thestar.my/News/Environment/2014/03/17/Teluk-Rubiah-A-forest-worth-preserving/ ]
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:34:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015