I HAVE only been to Cameron Highlands once. That was to participate in a retreat organised by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti).
We brainstormed on the strategic direction for science for the coming 11th Malaysia Plan.
Although that was the first time I had the opportunity to visit the highland resort, what I saw was disconcerting.
It was a contrast to what had been written. I failed to notice the charm often described. To me, sensible planning was visibly absent. As we approached the highlands from the Gua Musang-Ipoh highway, we could see the mushrooming of vegetable plots everywhere. Disorganised and cluttered.
We could see the steep slopes of the highlands being shaved clean, ready for building the infrastructure to grow strawberries. Yes, strawberries have become a major attraction to this highland resort. But at what cost?
I am sure, like me, not all Malaysians have had the chance to visit Cameron Highlands. But I believe many have heard about this pristine highland resort.
During the days of the British, the highlands was the closest getaway place that colonial officers could experience a cool environment like home in the United Kingdom.
Yes, those who visited the highland in the 1960s and 1970s would vouch that it was just like going to London.
However, sadly, as we approached the 1990s, Cameron Highlands was no longer the cool place that many had earlier flocked to, just to have a taste of the climate. It has become warmer these days.
Some blame it on the warming that the world has now become accustomed to.
There are those who blame it on the rampant illegal logging of the highland forest, which many believe helped cool the resort.
Either way, the highlands are fast losing its natural attraction as a place to escape the heat of the cities.
Unless immediate remedial action is taken, the highlands are destined to squander on its many opportunities in the coming years.
It is still not too late to revive the glory of the highland resort. It is not impossible to redevelop the place where strawberry and vegetable growing can coexist with tourism as a money-earner for the township, while enjoying sustainable electricity from hydropower and clean water from the dam.
In fact, through better planning, even the constant threat of flash flooding will become a matter of the past. The secret, lies in the intelligent deployment of the systems approach to develop win-win opportunities for the key economic activities of the resort, tourism and strawberries.
The use of systems analysis to craft development planning has gained traction in recent years.
The International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), which is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, has been aggressively promoting the concept of applied systems analysis to understand the integrated nature of most of the world problems.
Last year, the institute released its Global Energy Assessment report at the Rio+20 meeting.
It is now in the midst of preparing the Global Water Report.
Malaysia is an active member of the IIASA council through the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. Other members include the United States, Russia, Ukraine, Germany and a number of European countries. The only other Asean countries that are members include Indonesia and Vietnam.
A systems approach involves analysing problems in an integrated manner. Through the development of robust mathematical models, a systems approach will lead to viable instruments for development planning.
The issues in Cameron Highlands can best be described as the integration of issues related to water, food and energy.
This water, food and energy nexus is now a subject of serious study at IIASA.
Through the systems approach it would not be difficult to formulate a viable plan to redevelop the highland resort.
With the right implementation of the subsequent plan, it will help reverse the vicious cycle that the highland is now trapped in.
This is the scientific way to ensure a sustainable development of the resort.
Science can rekindle the true tourism potential of Cameron Highlands. The Academy is ready to contribute.