* Story and pictures by SC Shekar. 

PAHANG is taking steps to protect the dwindling population of the Malayan tiger with the launch of a groundbreaking conservation effort. The Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve, covering an expanse of 134,183ha, is set to be fully gazetted by the end of 2028.

Led by Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, the reserve is the first-ever conservation initiative for Malayan tigers in Malaysia. With the tiger population teetering at around a hundred, urgent and united action is required to  ensure their survival. 

State Local Government, Housing, Environment, and Green Technology Committee chairman Johari Harun announced the gazetting of an initial area of 92,649ha. This section encompasses the entirety of Gunung Aais Forest Reserve in Jerantut and additional reserves designated as Wildlife Protection Forests. The initiative  will also be integrated into the Malaysian Forest Fund scheme to boost forest conservation efforts. 

An agreement between the state and federal governments has paved the way for nine actions to be implemented from 2021 to 2030. The plan focuses on strengthening the tiger’s habitat, ensuring effective governance, and enhancing conservation efforts on the ground. 

At the forefront of the conservation strategy is the crucial role played by communities living alongside the Malayan tigers. Prince Tengku Hassanal emphasised the need for a partnership with these communities, acknowledging their connection to the land and wildlife. Their support and cooperation will be invaluable in  the Malayan tigers’ survival.

Sustainable livelihood alternatives will be provided for the  communities, along with educational initiatives and awareness campaigns. The success of these efforts lies in finding a balance between economic progress and the preservation of the region’s natural heritage. 

As part of the multifaceted approach, the biodiversity protection and patrolling programme has been bolstered with the appointment of 302 community rangers with an allocation of RM9 million. The rangers will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the tigers and their habitats. 

A critical component of the conservation plan is the establishment of the Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre in Lanchang, Temerloh. The centre is conducting a tiger reintroduction programme that is crucial for the species’ survival. 

Yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the tiger reserve at the Biodiversity Institute in Lanchang, the crown prince presented to the king a photograph of a Malayan tiger captured in the wild in Jerantut in1987 by photojournalist SC Shekar. 

“This  image serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect these majestic creatures and preserve their natural habitats for generations to come” he said. 

With the clock ticking and the future of the tigers hanging in the balance, the establishment of the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve and the commitment of the governments, non-governmental organisations, and local  communities, will be instrumental in ensuring the survival of these iconic creatures. 

By forging alliances, sharing resources, and leveraging expertise, Malaysia aims to secure a sustainable future for the Malayan tigers and the rich biodiversity they represent. – July 31, 2023.