KUALA LUMPUR – Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan acknowledged that the government had let its guard down when supervising Tasik Chini in Pahang, but is doing its best to heal the biosphere site.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat, Takiyuddin said he is confident that the actions currently taken by the federal and state governments will ensure the site’s United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) biosphere reserve status will not be revoked.
This is after the secretariat of Unesco’s Man and Biosphere Programme issued a letter to Malaysia on May 28 last year ordering the country to preserve and improve the condition in Tasik Chini.
According to a report by Malaysiakini, Unesco’s first review of the lake found that it no longer meets the criteria to be part of its World Network of Biosphere Reserves and that its status is under scrutiny.
“As I mentioned, the government is extremely serious about this issue. What’s done is done.
“Honestly, we admit there might be a bit of a lack of supervision.
“Now, the Pahang government has issued a stern warning against any mining activities in the area. A stop work order has also been issued.
“I’m confident and I believe that our actions will ensure the lake’s biosphere reserve status will not be revoked.
“I believe in that.”
Takiyuddin was responding to questions from Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan-PH) on the efforts taken by the government to treat and rehabilitate Tasik Chini to ensure its Unesco status can be maintained
The lake is the first of only three Malaysian biosphere sites recognised by Unesco. Globally, only 738 sites from 134 countries are accorded the biosphere reserve status.
Takiyuddin said considering this, it is vital that conservation efforts are continuously taken to protect the sites here.
According to the minister, among other measures taken by the government to preserve Tasik Chini was to embark on an ongoing mass tree planting programme since 2015.
He added that Pahang has undertaken its own initiatives, including gazetting Tasik Chini as a forest reserve land, from state land, while all mining activities in the area ceased effective June 17 last year.
Takiyuddin also revealed that the federal and state governments have jointly prepared a periodic report, as required by Unesco, which will be submitted by September 30. – The Vibes, August 4, 2022
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