KUALA TERENGGANU: Protecting forest reserves that have been opened for recreational purposes requires extra enforcement measures to prevent poaching and encroachment by irresponsible visitors.
The opening of these recreational areas has provided opportunities for some members of the public to plunder the riches of the rainforest which include collecting rare plants and hunting wild animals like dear, elephants and tigers.
The enforcement unit of the State Forestry department has its hands full trying to protect the forest from not only illegal loggers but also people who veer off the roads leading to popular recreational forests to collect plants and herbs.
“The reason why recreational forests are open is to support tourism industry. Unfortunately, most visitors fail to read signboards which clearly warn them not to disturb the environment. They should just take pictures and leave only foot prints,” said State Forestry director Datuk Ahmad Fadzil Abdul Majid.
He said lack of civic consciousness was among the reasons why some recreational parks were littered with rubbish which invited unnecessary dangers because it attracted wild animals, especially wild boars and bears.
“Despite adequate garbage disposal bins, some visitors ignore them. It is a shame because these parks are visited by foreigners and some leave unpleasant remarks in the social media. It creates the impression that we are not taking care of these parks,” he said.
Fadzil said with Visit Beautiful Terengganu campaign becoming an event every year, it was important for the public to change their mind set and become more civic conscious about the environment and their responsibility as visitors.
“If a group wants to enter a recreational site deep in the forest, they must get permits from the district forestry office. Without a permit the visitor may get into trouble if they run into a team of enforcement officers.
“If they are caught collecting wild plants they will be in even bigger trouble. They can be charged in court,” he said.
Fadzil said the department had started upgrading some popular spots, including the track leading to the world's biggest Chengal tree at Gunung Mandi Angin in Dungun as well as other popular destinations for recreation and adventure in every district.
Other eco-adventure sites that would be upgraded with more safety features included the waterfalls at Sekayu in Hulu Terengganu, Lata Tembakah in Besut, Lata Belatan in Setiu, Chemerong in Dungun and Lasir in Tasik Kenyir.
"We want to showcase our protected forest as a unique product. Its rich flora and fauna will tell the world that we take great care of our rainforest treasures. We are doing all we can to ensure that this heritage survives rapid development in its surroundings," said Fadzil.