MALAYSIA

-- Development and
environment are at loggerheads in the Taman Negara
national park situated
near Kuala Lumpur. The
park shelters one of the
world's oldest rainforests,
described as the 'jewel in
the crown' of Malaysia's
natural heritage. Pressure is
mounting from developers
to build a road and airstrip
to provide better transport
links for the public visiting
the park, which is a rich
storehouse of flora and
fauna and one of the world's
most precious ecosystems.
The 4,34,000-ha park is a
protected area of ancient
natural forests that stretch
half-way down the
Malaysian peninsula from
the Thai border. The park is
also home to up to 350 of the
world's rarest songbird
species, besides elephants,
tigers and tapirs. But over
the years, it has turned into
a refuge for sandalwood smugglers, insurgents, illegal immigrants
and rhinoceros poachers. It
has also evolved into a big
tourist spot, attracting hoteliers, travel firms and developers. Park superintendent
Ramlah Abdul Majid says,
"As far as conservation is
concerned, it is now or
never."