'Belum Forest Connect' Raises Awareness Of Wildlife Protection

IPOH, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Seeing wild elephants in their natural habitat was an awe-inspiring experience that left a lasting impression on participants of the Belum Forest Connect Programme, held from January 26 to 28 at Royal Belum, Gerik.

Pulau Banding Foundation (PBF) manager Zulfadhlan Ahmad Khushairi said the programme also raised awareness of the importance of wildlife protection and the conservation of Malaysia’s tropical rainforests.

The programme has effectively integrated Orang Asli community development, business potential studies and biodiversity exploration, he said in a statement.

Zulfadhlan said the programme, jointly organised by PBF and the Faculty of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam, aimed to strengthen ties between higher education institutions and the local community through an experiential learning approach.

He said that, besides learning about the socio-economic realities of the Orang Asli community in Kampung Klewang, participants explored Sungai Kooi and Sungai Ruok Waterfalls, observing hornbills, Malayan tigers, elephants, and the diverse habitats of tropical rainforest plants and “ikan kelah”.

“It is also part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, with participants delivering basic business and savings management training and distributing essential goods to 50 Orang Asli families,” he said.

Meanwhile, UiTM Puncak Alam deputy academic registrar and project director Zulfa Zainal Abidin said the field study approach had provided participants with a deeper understanding of the potential and challenges of community businesses.

“We also organised a ‘water confident’ activity to help participants build confidence in water environments while highlighting the importance of safety and sustainable aquatic ecosystems,” he said.

He added that the experience of seeing wild elephants in their natural habitat had given participants a deeper awareness of the importance of wildlife protection and the conservation of tropical rainforests.

--BERNAMA