The rain forest complex of Belum Temenggor is one the most important of Malaysia, altogether with the Taman Negara National Park, other parks and protected areas in West and East Malaysia. Thanks to the incredible biological diversity, density in vegetation and animal wildlife : several state-run and independent organizations, local and international, have pledged to put efforts in the preservation of the rainforest and its living species that inhabit the ecosystem. Scientific research programs and activities are lead to study the rainforest geology, fauna and flora; occasionally new species or subspecies of animals, plants and insects are found in the forest boundaries – having some of its corners yet to be thoughtfully explored.
Organizations
Among the organizations, institutions and societies working in Belum Temenggor area there are:
- Rimau NGO – Established in 2018, RIMAU is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preservation of the Malaysian tiger. Rimau is created by a group of citizens with the determination to protect this iconic animal.
- Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) has been actively seeking the conservation of the Belum-Temengor forest through various public and scientific efforts since 1993. The Hornbill Conservation and Monitoring Programme primarily seeks to understand the ecology and biology of the globally threatened hornbills. It also focuses on the ecology of one particular species of hornbill – the Plain-pouched hornbill. Through the programme, MNS hopes to improve protection of the hornbills and its habitat. In addition, it focuses on increasing awareness on the plight and importance of these majestic birds. The Hornbill Volunteer Programme is a spin off from the Hornbill Conservation and Monitoring Programme. It started in 2008 to enable anyone to learn and contribute towards the conservation of hornbills.
- Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME) functions as a research project that thrives to develop and assess conservation biology for our native species. The Meme in collaboration with Perhilitan consists in applying GPS collars on these elephants. The device allows us to track and monitor their movements across Malaysia.
- WWF-Malaysia’s Tigers conservation project (WWF – Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards) follows the completion of WWF-Malaysia’s human-tiger conflict work in FELDA Jerangau Barat, Terengganu in 2003. This project subsequently kicked off in Jeli, Kelantan, where human-tiger conflict was a major issue at that time. Since then, the project has expanded to the greater Belum-Temengor Forest Complex. This is a priority area for tigers as identified under the National Tiger Action Plan.
- Pulau Banding foundation (PBF) in collaboration with Kyoto University, Japan, PBF are researching on the Tapirs in Belum-Temengor. The aim for this study will be to further understand the behaviour of Tapirs. It is as well to protect animals as they are one of the species that are practically extinct in the world.
