Site Analysis of THE ROYAL BELUM
Site Analysis of THE ROYAL BELUM
It is the largest continuous forest complex in Peninsular Malaysia. Specifically, it is located in the Malaysia state of Perak and crosses into Southern Thailand. Belum-Temenggor is divided into two sections. Belum is located up north right by the Malaysia-Thailand border while Temenggor is south of Belum.
HISTORY
1.1 History of Gerik 1.2 History of Banding Island 1.3 History of Belum Rainforest
1.1 History of Gerik •
Gerik is a district capital town of Hulu Perak district in Perak, Malaysia.
•
It is approximately 130 km north of Ipoh city and 120 km east of Butterworth, Penang.
•
The town is also known as Rest Town owing to its strategic location next to major highways of the country, East-West Highway.
1.1 History of Gerik •
About a hundred years ago, the area now known as Gerik was still covered by thick forest and was under the rule of King Reman. In 1870, a few people arrived from Patani by the Hangai River, and cleared the land at the river's estuary. This group was headed by a man called Tok Ad (Tok Sa ad).
•
Not long after that, King Reman, called Tuan Jagong, came elephant hunting at Gunung Tujuh, near Kuala Kenderong. They heard about the village in the middle of the jungle nearby.
•
When King Reman came near to the village, he heard a strange noise from the base of a cluster of elephant bamboos. He then ordered his men to dig it up to find out what made the strange noises.
•
Once it was dug up, they discovered a large number of animals that looked like rats eating the bamboo root. As the root was very hard, the rats made screeching noises when bitten (gerit) by these animals.
•
King Reman thus named the place Gerit Village. Gerit was used for a long time but the pronunciation and spelling was later changed from Gerit to Grik, and now to Gerik.
1.2 History of Banding Island •
Banding Island started as a vision of our Founder and Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk (Dr.) Haji Mustapha Kamal in the conviction that there is –
“No better legacy to leave behind for the future generation than nature”
•
What he saw was beautiful greenery rich with living animals and precious plants of countless species. He saw a priceless treasure for mankind to be conserved by all of us.
•
With this conviction, the EMKAY Group became the custodian of Banding Island.
1.2 History of Banding Island
• Banding Island is a 243-hectare inland island encircled by the Temengor Lake. • It is a 130 million years old rainforest island. • More than two decades ago before Banding or even Temenggor Lake ever existed, a number of rivers from the mountain ranges flowed into the Temenggor lowlands and gorges, created a huge catchment area. • While serving as a source of water supply to the neighbouring villages and “Orang Asli” settlements, this rich source of food and water supply attracted the communist terrorists to the area. • In 1974, then Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak, had an ingenious plan to flush out the communists by building a dam and filling up the Temenggor catchment area with water from the mountain rivers. Thus, the Temenggor lake was formed. • As a consequence, Banding was transformed into an island.
1.2 History of Belum Rainforest •
Belum Temenggor is believed to have been in existence for over 130 million years, making it one of the World’s oldest rainforests, an ecosystem older than both the Amazon and the Congo.
•
The forest reserve coverage is about 290,000 hectares and with more than 146,000 hectares of virgin primary forest.
POLITICAL ECONOMY
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest 2.2 Economy 2.3 UNESCO
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
BELUM-TEMMENGOR FOREST NOT A NATIONAL PARK
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
BELUM-TEMMENGOR FOREST NOT A NATIONAL PARK
STATE PARK
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest LOCATED ON THE CENTRAL FOREST SPINE
Considered as
HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE FOREST (HCVF) •
Environmental
• Socio-Economic
•
Biodiversity
• Landscape
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
Recognized in NATIONAL PHYSICAL PLAN MALAYSIA (NPP) as an ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA (ESA) RANK 1
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
PERAK STATE CATEGORISED ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA (ESA)
RANK 2
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
Sustainable logging could be carried out
.
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
NO COHERANT POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FROM FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
Creating conflicts in implementation process
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
Malaysia Nature Society
World Widelife Fund
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
Malaysia Nature Society
World Widelife Fund
Lobbying both the state and the federal government to gazette the area as a park.
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
State Government RESISTED
Logging provides RM30,000,000 in revenue to the state income
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
LOGGING
Furniture
Building Materials
Toothpicks
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
CONSUMERS
EUROPE
JAPAN / ASIA
USA
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest •Plan to convert natural forest to plantation along the East-West Highway.
•THREATS: Increase access points for illegal poachers
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
Nevertheless,
1,175 square Kilometers has been gazetted by the State Government
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
AREA GAZETTED •Forest •Small areas of grassland •Abandoned agricultural plot •Large man-made lake, Tasik Temengor
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
DIFFERENT RAFFLESIA SPECIES
Cantleyi
Azlanii
Kerii
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest All 10 hornbill species found in Malaysia including large flocks of the plain-pouched hornbill
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR LARGE MAMMALS
Seladang (Bos gaurus)
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni).
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
The State Government‘s efforts to gazette, plan and manage RBSP is supported by WWF-Malaysia through the previous phases of the
Peninsular Malaysia Protected Areas project (Strengthening the Protected Areas System of Peninsular Malaysia)
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
Preliminary management plan for RBSP was completed in 2011 which
provides a framework for an effective management system for the park.
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
CURRENT EFFORTS •- Facilitating training and capacity-building sessions • Conducting management effectiveness assessments • Providing support in the implementation of the management plan and the recommendations of management effectiveness assessments • Advocating for compatible land use within the buffer areas of the RBSP • Increasing awareness about the conservation and nature tourism values of RBSP.
2.1 Belum-Temmengor Forest
MAIN PARTNERS •- Perak State Parks Corperation •- Department of Wildlife and National Park Perak •- Perak State Forestry Department •- Orang Asli communities of Sungai Tiang, Sungai Kejar and RPS Banun •- Hulu Perak District Office
2.2 Economy
ECOTOURISM Belum-Temmengor economy depends a lot on eco-tourism.
2.2 Economy
Through the National Ecotourism Plan developed in 1996, Belum Temengor Forest Complex (BTFC) was identified as one of the areas possessing great potentials for ecotourism development because of the rich biodiversity of flora and fauna and the unique culture of indigenous peoples living in the area
2.2 Economy
However, the rampant poaching, uncontrolled logging activities and mismanagement issues are some of the perils that could destroy the potentials of this promising area from further developing into a worldwide ecotourism destination in Malaysia.
2.3 UNESCO
UNESCO Emkay Group CEO Ahmad Khalif Mustapha Kamal said a proposal would be sent to Unesco on making the Belum-Temenggor rainforest a world heritage site.
2.3 UNESCO It is estimated that there are at least 60 salt licks scattered around the Belum area. The salt licks are important for the animals & wellbeing and there is a potential for the operators to develop certain areas for eco-tourism. Salt Licks: Place where animals go to lick salt off the ground for minerals.
2.3 UNESCO
However, these plans must be researched extensively because it has been proven that introduction of people to the area will cause the animals to flee from their usual waterholes and saltpans, which has happened in Taman Negara. The animals are sensitive to new things and new things must be paced in slowly.
2.3 UNESCO
The animals are sensitive to new things
2.3 UNESCO
The animals are sensitive to new things New things must be paced in slowly.
2.3 UNESCO
ECOTOURISM NOT A buzzword Needs the cooperation of everyone including the tourists, the wildlife department and even the NGOs. And this starts with the protection of the wildlife and flora of that area. With that sort of cooperation - then there will be a better future.
CLIMATE GEOGRAPHY
2.1 Climate of Malaysia 2.2 Climate of Banding Island 2.3 Geography
3.1 Climate of Malaysia
Malaysia is a tropical country, with temperatures ranging between 23 °C and 32 °C and rainfall ranging from 10 cm to 30 cm a month. Malaysia has two monsoon seasons: •
Southwest Monsoon from late April to September
•
Northeast Monsoon from October to March
3.2 Climate of Banding Island
3.2 Climate of Banding Island
3.2 Climate of Banding Island
3.3 Geography The forest reserve coverage is about 290,000 hectares. The forest is divided into two sections: - The Upper Belum which stretches to the Thai-Malaysian border covering 117,500 hectares of impenetrable jungle. - The Lower Belum (Temenggor forest reserve) mostly covered by Temenggor Lake.
3.3 Geography Wildlife-The Belum Temenggor makes it the habitat for some of the world’s most threatened mammals, which includes
Malayan Sun Bear
Malayan Tiger
3.3 Geography Sumatran Rhinoceros
White-handed Gibbon
3.3 Geography Asian Elephant
Malayan tapir
SOCIAL CULTURE
4.1 Local Culture 4.2 Local Activities
4.1 Local Culture
4.1 Local Culture Most of the locals are under Jahai Tribe. •
At Belum Valley
•
One of the orang asli group
•
Short, Darkskinned, Curled hair
•
Sub-ethnic group of Negritos
•
Excellent sense of smell
•
Hired as guide or portal for trekkers
4.1 Local Culture Architectural Influences: •
Orang Asli heritage was built with local materials
•
Light-weight construction
•
Live in groups (semi-nomadic habit)
•
Living room as the hearth of the house
•
Open to nature and mend with the context
4.2 Local Activities Temenggor Lake is one of the main spot where gather both local and tourist. •
Fishing spot
•
Lower part of Belum Temenggor
•
Surround with beautiful sceneries
4.2 Local Activities Gerik Night Market is where the locals sell their stuffs. •
Closest town to Belum Temenggor rainforest area
•
Show the culture from the food and the way they make business.
REGULATION
5.1 Regulation 5.2 Non-government Organisation
5.1 Regulation
• RBSP was gazetted on May 3rd 2007 with the purpose of forest and wildlife conservation •-State Government has limited number of visitors to the RBSP where they will have to obtain permits from the police or the PNPC to enter for safety reasons •-State government would not allow any form of encroachment, such as land clearing or illegal logging, at the park.
5.1 Regulation •Poaching, harvesting and over-collection are among the major issues for RBSP, as it has many access points that facilitate illegal entry for poachers and encroachers consisting of both locals and foreigners.
•Aside from that, unsustainable harvesting of other natural resources (including unregulated fishing), poorly regulated tourism and human-wildlife conflict are among the issues that threatens RBSP.
5.1 Regulation •
Forest reserve status does not provide the level of protection that state or national park status would (in particular, against logging), it does reduce the immediate threat of conversion to non-forest land uses.
•
No strict law is enforced which allows poaching activity to continue in the area; with arrests made and poaching camps and snares uncovered frequently.
5.2 Non-government Organisation WWF-Malaysia and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s key conservation efforts: • monitoring of tigers and their prey • conduct anti-poaching activities and monitor the illegal wildlife trade • monitoring land-use and advocating for the mitigation of their impacts on wildlife • lobbying for better management of the forest complex • conducting education and awareness activities
5.2 Non-government Organisation • The penalties for poaching in Malaysia are potentially quite large—up to RM500,000 (approximately US$166,600) or 5 years in prison (Khan, 2011)— but poachers are rarely caught and seldom punished with large fines or prison time (Or & Tang, 2011). • DWNPs considered new legislation to strengthen the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act, with an emphasis on raising penalties for poaching and smuggling by 10 to 30 times and imposing mandatory jail sentences for some offenses. • Weak enforcement has undermined the impact of these stiffer penalties. The federal government would assume responsibility for managing and protecting the park, and it would fund recurring costs for park operations and personnel and the costs of park-improvement projects.
PRECEDENT STUDY
6.1 Tropical Box, Kuala Lumpur (WHBC Arcitects)
6.1 Tropical Box,Kuala Lumpur
The project was envisioned as an inward looking abode that safeguards its interior from the tropical sun and rain and embraces the natural floral that the house sits within.
6.1 Tropical Box,Kuala Lumpur EGG-CRATE STRUCTURE • A concrete egg-crate structure that envelopes the house to keep the heat out, but draw daylight in to create comfortable spaces within and thus softening the boundary of inside and outside. • The egg-crate structure acts as a sun-filtering device at the depth of 900mm. The structure naturally allows daylight to filter through but resists radiation. This further facilitates the regulation of light intensity inside.
6.1 Tropical Box,Kuala Lumpur
TOPOGRAHPY From the entry level, the existing site slopes downwards to the back. The design takes advantage of the sloping terrain to keep the dampness and humidity out within a tropical environment. The spaces are arranged to keep most parts of the house raised from the ground. This elevates the house to sit among the canopy of trees.
6.1 Tropical Box,Kuala Lumpur
SPACE ARRANGEMENT • The main spaces- living, dining and the pool are positioned at the entry level; the bedrooms are placed on the upper floor; finally, a garage and service area sits on the lower ground. This ensured that dampness and pest is kept away, keeping the house airy and dry. • Looking beyond the pool and the garden, one is greeted with a clear and extended panoramic view of the forest. On upper floors, windows are specially designed to capture views of big beautiful trees.
Prepared by: Bernard Ting Jason Lee Jolene Hor Kimberly Ann Lim Pui Yee
Muhammad Uzman Asif Ng Wan Zew Ricky Wong Shirley Liew