Views from above Kuala Terengganu city. KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 - Kuala Terengganu is identified among the 10 most delightful areas in Malaysia, more than 90 per cent according to the National Happiness Index 2018. Among others include local authorities in Petaling Jaya, Manjung, Batu Gajah, Bentong, Jasin, Jeli, Segamat, Padang Terap and Bandar Baharu. The matter was announced by the Federal Territories Minister, Khalid Abdul Samad based on the World Happening Report 2019 (WHR 2019).
Back in November 2018, the Terengganu State Government announced that an additional 19,614 hectares of forests was to be gazetted as Kenyir State Park. This will possibly more than double the original size of the Kenyir State Park of 10,386 hectares which was gazetted in May 2018 and named “Lawit-Cenana State Park”.
2. Consequently, this move expands Terengganu’s terrestrial protected area network. Kenyir State Park, located in Kenyir’s water retention area, currently amounts to 30,000 hectares.
3. This will help in reducing carbon emissions, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. The Terengganu State Government is determined in accordance to combat climate change.
4. Forestry in Terengganu is undeniably an ecosystem that benefits Terengganu residents through the provision of clean drinking water, erosion control, sediment-free water for hydroelectricity generation, and fisheries. Forests in this east coast state play a vital role in reducing the effectual severity of floods.
5. The extensions to Kenyir State Park comprise some sections of Tembat Forest Reserve where Primary Linkage 7 (PL7) of the Central Forest Spine (CFS) is located. PL7 is also known as the Kenyir Wildlife Corridor. There are 17 primary linkages throughout the CFS in Peninsular Malaysia. PL7 was a contiguous forest landscape which is adjacent to Taman Negara National Park. Therefore, Terengganu becomes the first state in Malaysia to gazette a Primary Linkage as a protected area.
6. This state park may enhance the movement and dispersal of plant and animal species. The presence of iconic plant species such as Rafflesia, about 43 mammal species and around 290 species of birds which includes 9 hornbill species become main attractions for the tourists who are interested in nature, outdoor activities and scientific research.
7. The next phase in managing Kenyir State Park involves the development of bio- financing schemes to generate income from the sustainable forest management. The income will be managed through a State Park Trust Fund (Tabung Amanah Taman Negeri) to ensure the long-term availability of resources for enforcement, eco- tourism, and community livelihood activities around the park.
8. Conserving the environment is an essential part of battling climate change. Meanwhile, Terengganu will be one of the best tourism destinations in Malaysia.
Dr. Ahmad Samsuri bin Mokhtar
Menteri Besar of Terengganu
31 January 2019
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