REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMERON HIGHLANDS

No.1, Jalan Besar, 39100 Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur
Tel: 05-491 4950, 491 5950 Fax: 05-491 5832 Hotline: 012 – 5898 684
Website: http://www.reach.org.my E-mail: reach@reach.org.my

26th December 2004

Penolong Pegawai Daerah

Pejabat Daerah dan Tanah
Cameron Highlands
39000 Tanah Rata
Pahang Darul Makmur.
(u.p. En. Ramlan bin Harun)

Suggested project and program proposals

With reference to your letter dated 16 December 2004 (Ref: Bil (15) dlm PDCH/PLB/294),
R.E.A.C.H. would like to thank the Pejabat Daerah dan Tanah for the opportunity to give feedback
about development on Cameron Highlands district for the 9th Malaysia Plan 2006-2010.

Please see attached a list of 3 projects and programs that R.E.A.C.H. sees as priority during the 9th
Malaysia Plan. The include, broadly:

1. Agriculture
2. Water Resources Management
3. Waste Management

We look forward to further meetings on this, and if necessary to explain in detail our inputs.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Ramakrishnan Ramasamy A.M.N.

President

Protect Mother Nature, Protect Our Future.

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1. AGRICULTURE

Background information
Presently, there is little application of biotechnology and science for agriculture in Cameron
Highlands, which must be rectified for farming practices considering the implications of AFTA in
2005. Farming must be competitive in line with the National Agriculture Policy, with involvement of
other relevant sectors and authorities at District and State levels.

The agriculture sector has been identified as one of the sector causing environmental degradation
in Cameron Highlands. With the introduction of biotechnology in farming methods, the current
environmental and natural resource damage will reduce and environment will have a chance to
restore itself. The Cameron Highlands natural forest environment is the main tourist attraction to the
District.

Objectives
1. Prepare and support the agriculture sector in competing with other countries’ fresh produce and
agriculture products. With AFTA in effect in 2005, lower taxes on imported goods will be a
challenge to locally grown agriculture products.
2. Biotechnology will improve existing farming methods by producing more harvest.
3. This project will also make farming practices less environmentally damaging.

Project Component
1. To build a tissue culture laboratory for Cameron Highlands for purposes of research and
availability of agriculture crop tissue samples for the farming community.
2. Having genetic/biotech engineers to introduce this technology and science to the farmers
facilitated by MARDI and Jabatan Pertanian.
3. Organize awareness programme, dialogues, discussions and technology workshops between
farmers, MARDI and Jabatan Pertanian.

Output and Benefits

1. Minimize competition with farming produce from other countries that have lower costs.
2. Healthier and improved agriculture produce, for both local consumption and export.
3. Economically viable for export - able to meet precautionary and safety standards in all countries.
4. Less chemically produced agriculture products.
5. Less environmentally destructive farming methods.
6. Reduction of excessive chemicals and pesticides.
Project Justification
1. Long term intangible benefits - less environmental damage, cleaner rivers, less health hazards
and reduction of residual dangerous chemicals that causes the soil unsuitable and infertile.
2. Financial and economic benefits - where farming cost per unit area will be reduced by using
modern technology. Modern biotechnology will be able to produce more yield without having the
need large farm areas, hence reduction in deforestation.
3. Less indiscriminate clearing and destruction of pristine forest reserve by illegal farming.
4. More consumable water and lesser water shortage problems - with biotech engineering, less
water usage with development of more efficient water usage crops. This should put an end to
the illegal tapping of river waters for farming.

Additional Information
Obstacles:
1. A major obstacle will be if the cost of implementing this modern biotechnology is higher then
present costs. One way to keep the cost low will be an initial subsidization by relevant institutes
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and authorities. This will encourage more farmers to turn to modern technology for better
farming practices.
2. Resistance from farmers towards this new method which needs to be overcome by having
dialogue sessions and meetings with farming associations, farmers themselves and relevant
authorities to breakthrough the mental block of farmers.

Factors:
1. Though Cameron Highlands is a popular tourist destination, the growing number of health-
conscious visitors does not prefer its agriculture produce. With individuals being well informed
and educated about the many dangers presented in today’s world, adopting the biotechnology
approach will only encourage more buying of local agriculture goods, which is in line with buying
Malaysian products initiated by the Government years ago.
2. Hand in hand with improved crops that practise less environmentally damaging methods,
Cameron Highlands will be able to draw tourists to an escalating viable attraction – the natural,
pristine forest environment that Cameron Highlands is renowned for.
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2. WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Background information
Both the water quantity and quality in urban and (rural) farm areas in Cameron Highlands are in
jeopardy. For Cameron Highlands, there is an estimated deficit of 4MLD of water (Pahang Water
Resources Study, 1999). Recent tests by the Health Department on the drinking water supply also
showed a deterioration in water quality. The 8th Malaysia Plan 2001-2005 aims to address
environmental and resource management issues in an integrated and holistic manner and particular
reference is given towards mitigation of degradation of waters. The Environmental Quality Act 1974
contains sections directly relating to pollution of inland waters.

Objectives

1. To continue the objectives of the 8th Malaysia Plan in regards to the environmental and
resources management issues by addressing and identifying the water woes in Cameron
Highlands as the important focus for water resources management, especially since it is one of
the main headwater catchment areas for the states of Pahang, Perak and Kelantan.
2. Lessen the devastation and degradation of the main rivers that are lifelines to the community,
both rural and urban; and also minimize the negative downstream effect.
3. Improve the water quality of the rivers for consumption and to halt and reverse the degradation
of the degraded river eco-system in all rivers in Cameron Highlands.

Project Component

1. Create a coordinating body at the District level comprising of relevant authorities and agencies
including local communities to address water resources management at the catchment and sub-
catchment levels.
2. Identification of the key factors that lead to the devastation and degradation of the rivers
affected and formulate relevant strategies and action plans to tackle this problem.
3. Embark on a massive campaign to “Save our dying rivers”, hence promote water based tourism.

Output and Benefits

1. The coordinating body for water resources management should fit into a larger state level,
Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) initiative, addressing all issues related to water on
a ecosystem approach
2. Factors that lead to degradation of rivers identified. Health of rivers reflect the health of the
environment
3. Target oriented campaign, with specific audiences, milestones and objectives formulated in a
holistic manner

Project Justification

1. Initiatives towards restoration, rehabilitation of degraded rivers are an important effort that
needs coordination at the highest level from the state government, considering that waters are
under the jurisdiction of state government.
2. The highlands are the birth of many rivers. Rivers in the highlands flow to the lowlands and the
upstream-downstream effect on the hydrology, water quantity, water quality needs immediate
attention to ensure the ecosystem health and integrity is not compromised.
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Additional Information

Obstacles:
1. To date, it is obvious the fate of rivers in Cameron Highlands is on the downward trend. There
seems to be no concerted effort by any one or group of agencies in tackle this problem.
2. Attitude of the masses, that “rivers are dumping ground” continues.
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3. WASTE MANAGEMENT

Background information

At present, we are using up precious forested land space, polluting our environment and releasing
toxic leachate into our underground when we throw away waste. It is reported that on a daily basis,
Cameron Highlands produces approximately 30-50 tons of rubbish. This is attributed both to
domestic and tourist use and consumption patterns. The current open landfill will not be able to
sustain its life span given the present trend of waste disposal

The 3rd Outline Perspective Plan (2001-2010) (OPP-3) states “… the government will consider the
adoption of a comprehensive waste management policy…as well as to formulate strategies for
waste reduction, reuse and recycling.” In the 8th Malaysia Plan (2001-2005), environmental and
resource management issues is to be integrated in a holistic manner. The following are excerpts
from the 8th Malaysia Plan:

the conduct of “relevant studies and demonstration projects to ascertain the viability and the
acceptability of a waste recycling industry
the introduction by local authorities of “various initiatives and appropriate economic
approaches such as incentives and collection charges to reduce the amount of household
waste
a clearing house mechanism by established to facilitate industrial symbiosis, whereby one
industry’s waste could be another’s resource.

Objectives
1. To be a model district in the state of Pahang to embark holistic waste management

Project Component

1. Together with local communities, MDCH to take the lead in ensuring all aspects, including
awareness programmes, monitoring, enforcement is carried out
2. A paradigm shift in waste management is needed (Waste = Resource)
3. Waste management industries, which are currently carrying out recycling, have to be brought in.

Output and Benefits

1. Cleaner environment
2. Healthier lifestyle of the population
3. Income generating waste recycling initiatives

Project Justification

1. This project needs immediate attention considering the grave nature of the present state of
waste management in the highlands
2. There is an increasing demand by niche markets to recycle household, industrial, farm wastes
3. To maintain Cameron Highlands as a pristine tourist destination, free of waste/garbage.

Additional Information

Obstacles:
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1. The relevant authorities and the public taking a lackadaisical attitude

2. The perspective that there is no problem with waste management in Cameron Highlands

Factors:

1. The present waste management system involving solid waste (municipal), liquid waste (sewage)
and agro waste needs to be reviewed critically to ensure success of a new approach towards
waste management in the highlands