SIK: Malaysians have been reminded not to underestimate the importance of environmental sustainability, as it ensures the availability of essential resources like water and food.
The Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Ibni Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin reminded all parties to continuously strive to preserve the natural environment to ensure its sustainability.
Tengku Sarafudin also urged people to connect with nature and seize the opportunity to visit the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve to learn about its importance to humanity.
"In this way, the public will be more appreciative of the natural environment once they understand that it is not only for the benefit of animals and plants, but for all of us," he said in a statement after exploring the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve for two days and spending the night in the forest.
Accompanying him on his royal visit were the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff, and their children, Tunku Zara Bahiyah and Tunku Sulaiman Badlishah.
The royal family's visit was meant to experience the natural beauty of Ulu Muda, a crucial water catchment area for the northern states and a renowned tourist destination.
Tengku Sarafudin expressed his pride on the importance of the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, which is part of a forest range consisting of seven other forest reserves, namely Pedu, Padang Terap, Chebar Besar, Chebar Kecil, Bukit Keramat, Bukit Saiong, and Ulu Muda.
"This forest cluster serves as the primary water catchment area for Kedah, Perlis, and Penang.
"The padi cultivation areas under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) also rely on water sourced from Ulu Muda and Pedu, enabling two times yearly rice cultivation, contributing 40 per cent to the country's rice production annually," he said.
Tengku Sarafudin added that Ulu Muda also supplies 96 per cent of domestic water needs in Kedah, 70 per cent in Perlis, and 80 per cent in Penang.
"High-tech industrial areas such as Kulim Hi-Tech Park and Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone also depend on water sourced from Ulu Muda.
"In total, more than 4.2 million residents of Perlis, Kedah, and Penang rely on this water catchment area," he said.
Tengku Sarafudin also stressed on the importance of Ulu Muda's biodiversity, which is a significant asset for Kedah and the country.
"Ulu Muda is also rich in diverse wildlife species and the habitat for endangered species such as Asian elephants, sun bears, and clouded leopards. Ulu Muda is also unique for ten species of hornbills, including the Great Hornbill and the Blyth Hornbill, which are only recorded in Ulu Muda and the Belum-Temenggor Forest Complex.
"Ulu Muda's rich biodiversity is not only important for Kedah but the whole of Malaysia. The diversity of its flora and fauna is a sign of the fertility and sustainability of the country's forestry," he added.
Tengku Sarafudin said that the uniqueness of Ulu Muda with its various ecotourism attractions not only attracted local visitors but the international travellers as well.
"They visited Ulu Muda to gain unique encounters with natural environment surrounded by diverse flora and fauna.
"Its beauty shines through with its non-extreme topography, making it a perfect destination for jungle trekking, bird and wildlife watching, river bathing, and exploring limestone caves and salt licks," he added.