The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry (Ketsa) today expressed its commitment to support the Pahang state government in rehabilitating Tasik Chini and maintaining its designation as a Biosphere Reserve.
This comes after the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in its first periodical report on Tasik Chini found that it no longer meets the criteria to be part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
In a statement, minister Takiyuddin Hassan said the state government has carried out various initiatives to strengthen its management of Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve (TCBR) since Unesco issued its findings last year.
He said the initiatives being conducted are in line with recommendations made by the International Advisory Committee on Biosphere Reserves (IACBR), which include updating the zonation plan to maintain TCBR's three functions - gazetting the Chini Permanent Forest Reserve, carrying out integrated enforcement activities and stopping all mining activities at the lake area.
The state government has also set up Pahang State Park Corporation and Pahang Biodiversity Council to further strengthen its administration of TCBR.
"Ketsa always supports the commitment and efforts by the Pahang state government in preserving TCBR. For this purpose, the ministry has provided over RM1.5 million of funds since 2016 for various studies at Tasik Chini, including on its water quality.
RM1.5 million provided to preserve site
"On top of this, the ministry through the Forestry Department is carrying out a replanting programme around TCBR this year, for which we have allocated RM800,000.
"Ketsa always stresses the importance of protecting the sustainability of TCBR in line with the (Unesco) Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme, and is committed to supporting all efforts to maintain its status as a biosphere reserve," Takiyuddin said.
On issues with documentation in Tasik Chini's periodic review highlighted by IACBR, the minister said that the report was prepared by the Pahang state government.
"The Pahang state government prepared the periodic review report as per the obligation set by Unesco. The ministry, as the national focal point for the MAB programme, has submitted the report to MAB Secretariat in 2021."
Tasik Chini is the first of only three Malaysian biosphere sites recognised by Unesco as part of the MAB programme.
The lake's status as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve is currently under scrutiny and its preliminary findings are not favourable.
According to Unesco's first periodical review of Tasik Chini, the lake no longer meets the criteria to be part of their World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
It cited several findings behind the conclusion, including "catastrophic environmental impacts" due to former mining sites being re-opened and expanded, and land use conversion from rubber plantation and forest areas to oil palm plantations.
Also highlighted were several issues with documentation in Tasik Chini's periodic review, including the absence of an updated zoning map and a management plan for the biosphere reserve. - Mkini
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