LOGGING is not the only threat to Temenggor forest reserve. Danger to its wildlife looms ahead in the form of tree plantations planned along the East-West Highway. 

And in the Upper Perak Draft Local Plan (2002-2015), forest flanking the mid-section of the highway has been slated for a “herb garden.”  

Herds of elephants traverse the East-West Highway, feeding along the way. Here, elephant trails can be seen off the road.

Although the strips of forest flanking the highway is stateland, which means the state can do whatever it wants there, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is urging for their preservation.  

“These forests serve as wildlife crossings and enable animals to move around this huge forest complex,” says ecologist Anthony Sebastian, chair of the MNS science and conservation committee. “Converting them into industrial tree plantations will create a barrier to animals dependent on both Belum and Temenggor, especially if the fast-growing commercial Acacia species is planted.  

It will form a barren zone devoid of plants and wildlife. Animals do not go inside Acacia plantations as there is no food there.” 

Sebastian argues that natural forests should not be cleared for planting commercial trees. “Acacia are free-seeding plants. Their seeds disperse freely, so they spread easily and are hard to control. You don’t want to put hybrid fast-growing species close to natural forests.” 

The proposed plantations will also destroy a habitat crucial for elephants. Belum-Temenggor harbours between 150 and 200 elephants, many relocated there from other cleared forests. Herds traverse the highway, feeding along the way. 

“They create their own farms by knocking down plants and thus opening up land for grass to grow. There is great potential for elephant-viewing here but that will be destroyed by the tree plantations as the elephant population will be forced to move away,” says Sebastian.  

There is also the risk of elephants damaging Acacia seedlings. In the past, herds of elephants have torn down food stalls set up off the highway.