KUANTAN: The Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, has instructed the state government to look into a Green Border initiative to help safeguard the flora and fauna.
Comptroller of the Royal Household for the Sultan of Pahang, Datuk Ahmad Khirrizal Ab Rahman, in a statement, said the State Green Border will involve the Pahang border which is about 1,087km and covers 54,350ha.
"Most of the areas have to be gazetted as permanent forest reserves while areas involving privately-owned land have to be developed in line with the environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.
"The Green Border has to provide full protection for flora and fauna. The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has to carry out stricter enforcement to safeguard the wild animals and there should be no illegal hunting activities in Pahang," he said in a statement today.
Khirrizal said the Regent condemned animal poaching and urged Perhilitan to step up their patrol and enforcement to curb such activities in Pahang.
Meanwhile, Khirrizal said the Regent, who was concerned about the environmental issues in Pahang, has urged the state government to intensify efforts to identify alternative resources as a new source of revenue apart from logging and mining activities.
"Those interested in investing in Pahang are welcome with open arms. They can bring in new ideas which are in line with the ESG concept," read the statement.
Khirrizal said Tengku Hassanal wanted areas with rich flora and fauna including Taman Negara, Taman Negeri Endau Rompin, Tasik Chini and Bera, Fraser's Hill, recreational forests, caves, mountains, beaches, islands, water catchment areas and Orang Asli settlements to be continuously preserved from any harm.
On efforts to rehabilitate Tasik Chini, the Regent has held discussions with the state government and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Tasik Chini Research Centre to expedite efforts to plant suitable trees in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Biosphere Reserve site on Pekan.
Tasik Chini came under the spotlight recently after mining operations near the lake resulted in several environmental issues.
On June 14, the Regent suggested all mining activities at Tasik Chini be ceased and the Chini forest reserve be expanded to provide better protection to plants and animals near the lake.