KANGAR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Nakawan Range in Perlis has the potential to be sustainably explored as a ‘genetic bank of herbs’ for future benefit, with more than 60 herbal plants identified in the hilly rainforest.
In this regard, Perlis Forestry director Ag Shaffie Ag Ahmadni said there should be collaboration between researchers and higher learning institutions to scientifically explore the wealth of herbal plants in the range to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the use of these herbs.
“Among the herbs identified in the forest area are ‘tongkat ali’, ‘kacip fatimah’, fenugreek and several local species that are difficult to find elsewhere.
“Most of these herbal plants have been used traditionally and are now cultivated by communities such as the Wang Gunung community to be used as health products,” he said at a press conference here today.
Earlier, Ag Shaffie attended the Nakawan Rainforest Festival in conjunction with this year’s state celebration of International Forest Day over four days starting from May 29 at the Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex near here.
On April 30, Bernama reported that the Nakawan Rainforest, rich in natural attractions, would be among the state’s focus to attract domestic tourists.
Perlis Tourism, Arts and Culture and Rural Development Committee chairman Abu Bakar Hamzah was quoted as saying that the area covering Wang Gunung to Kampung Wai in Kuala Perlis had unique features including rare limestone formations and over 1,000 caves yet to be fully explored.
Ag Shaffie said his team, in collaboration with the Faculty of Business at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), is implementing the ‘Perlis Forest Community’ (Perlis Force) initiative to strengthen the community’s economy through systematic marketing of forest products.
“The involvement of local communities is essential not only in marketing forest products but also to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the department to prevent encroachment and illegal logging. The Wang Gunung community will be absorbed in this programme which also involves the Bukit Jernih community, Perlis climbers and nature explorers," he said.
Ag Shafie also drew attention to the honey produced in the Nakawan Range, which is also unique as the bees nest in limestone rock.
-- BERNAMA
