THE public finds it hard to accept the statement issued by Kelantan Forestry Department director Abdul Khalim Abu Samah that logging helps to increase the tiger population.
We at the Sustainable Malaysia Association are disappointed with the department’s handling of widespread deforestation and its efforts (or the lack thereof) in wildlife conservation.
The tiger population in the country in 2014 was estimated to be between 250 to 400, according to data from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society and Persatuan Penyelidik Rimba Malaysia.
The latest estimate from Perhilitan revealed that there are less than 200 tigers in Malaysia today.
The Forestry Department’s statistics show that the forest area in Malaysia has reduced by 120,000ha from 5.81 million hectares in 2011 to 5.69 million hectares in 2020.
These two data sets suggest that the tiger population has drastically decreased due to deforestation.
The incident on January 7 that involved a tiger attacking a villager in Gua Musang, Kelantan is highly likely due to the animal’s habitat being disturbed when it left its natural territory.
It is unfortunate that the Kelantan deputy menteri besar continues to deny the impact of widespread logging in the state on the tiger population.
The Kelantan government should step up in stopping deforestation while putting in real effort in wildlife conservation. – The Vibes, January 26, 2022
Wong Yi Hao is a committee member with Sustainable Malaysia Association
