RAUB: Soaring demand for durians in China is being blamed for a new wave of deforestation in Malaysia, with environmentalists warning vast amounts of jungle is being cleared to make way for massive plantations of the spiky, pungent fruit.
Grown across tropical Southeast Asia, the durian is hailed as the "king of fruits" by fans, who liken its creamy texture and intense aroma to blue cheese.
But detractors say durians stink of sewage and stale vomit. The strong smell means many hotels across the region have banned guests from bringing them to rooms, while Singapore does not allow the fruit on its subway system.
Nevertheless, they are a hit in China, and the increase in demand has prompted exporters to vie for a bigger share of the burgeoning market.
Growers in Malaysia are increasingly shifting from small orchards to industrial-scale operations – a trend that environmentalists warn presents a new threat to rainforests already challenged by loggers and palm oil plantations.
"Right now, durians are gaining a lot of attention from the Chinese market," said Sophine Tann, from environmental protection group Peka, which has studied land clearances to make way for the fruit.
"This deforestation for planting of durians is in preparation to meet that demand."
In the jungle-clad district of Raub in central Malaysia, swathes of rainforest have recently been chopped down to make way for a new plantation, with durian seedlings protected by netting planted across bare hillsides.
The plantation is next to an area of protected forest, which is home to a kaleidoscope of animals, from monkeys to exotic birds.
A river, now murky and filled with trunks and branches from logging, runs close by.
A sign outside the plantation said it was run by Ample Harvest Produce, but company staff refused to comment when contacted about the loss of trees in the area.
Peka said the land's status was changed by the local government to allow logging, but local authorities did not respond to requests for comment. --AFP