THE Department of Wildlife and National Parks appreciates the issues highlighted in the letter (”Let’s all help to preserve wildlife” — NST, Nov 26) by Dr Kae Kawanishi of Ampang, Selangor.

Taman Negara National Park, a rain forest that straddles the borders of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, is one of the natural wonders of Malaysia and a haven for wildlife.

Since 2005, the department has been conducting year-round patrols in the park, with priority given to areas where poachers operate.

Since some of the poachers are armed, security forces have also been involved in some of the patrols.

Although such patrols are a strain on the department’s resources, we feel it is justified as more than 80 foreign intruders have been arrested and prosecuted.

In addition, hundreds of wire snares have been removed, including the 500 snares mentioned in Kawanishi’s letter.

With the construction of the second East-West highway just north of the park to connect Gua Musang in Kelantan with Kuala Berang in Terengganu, the department has taken steps to open another new station at the Terengganu-Kelantan border to watch out for poachers at the northeastern edge of the park.

As a long-term measure, the department, through the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, has brought this issue to the attention of the National Security Council so that a more concerted effort can be mounted to prevent foreigners from encroaching on the park.

The department encourages the public to cherish the park.

Visitors should use the four entry points in Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu that have been zoned for eco-tourism.

More information is available on the department’s website: www.wildlife.gov.my.

In addition, the public can also help protect the park by being the eyes and ears of the department and alerting us to intruders in the park.

Residents of the numerous remote villages around the park can play a useful role.

Although the department has undertaken awareness programmes in these villages, concerned members of the public may, through the department and environmental non-governmental organisations, conduct their own programmes targeting different groups in these villages.

The department lauds the efforts of the writer and the public in promoting and supporting the protection and conservation of Taman Negara for the benefit of all.

Suggestions can be forwarded to the department through eAduan and the contact numbers displayed on the department’s website.

NOR AZEAN HASSAN for secretary-general Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Putrajaya

Source: NST – December 4, 2008