REACH Newsletter Issue No: 01/2003

Committee Members Dear members,

2002/03
The REACH committee would like to wish everyone a very Happy New
President
Year. It is the time of the year for a new beginning and a time for us to
Ramakrishnan Ramasamy
ponder upon the year that 2002 was. The year had been full of ups and
Vice President downs, and we can proudly proclaim that we have set a benchmark of sorts
Kok Tuck Khow for a citizen-based organisation run entirely by volunteers. However we
strongly feel that the struggle has only just begun and to carry it forth, we
Secretary
need members to be active believers in our cause instead of passive
Zulkifli Ariffin
backbenchers who pledge moral support. There is only so much the handful
Acting Treasurer of us who are currently actively involved can do and we are really in the
George Theseira danger of sizzling out before even making the desired impact. Thus it is our
sincere request to all members to come forward and let us all shoulder the
Committee Members
Dr. Liau Tai Leong
burden of conserving nature by developing our highlands with more
Embi bin Abdullah environmental consciousness.
Subramaniam @ Madi
K.S.Rajoo A wise once said, "Mankind is Nature's sole mistake!" Let's prove him
wrong; let's not disappoint mother nature.
Photographer
Amran Bin Nazar Khan
As a first step towards this, renew your REACH membership and if you are
not already a member…SIGN UP NOW!

Renew your membership as soon as possible in order to be eligible to vote

in our upcoming annual general meeting. The renewal fee is RM10 and you
may do so by posting your reply to the REACH office or with any of the
committee members listed below:

1. George Theseira : 012-5714342 (T-Café)

2. Zulkifli Ariffin : 05-4915125
3. Dr.Liau Tai Leong : Klinik Liau & Cheam
4. K.S.Rajoo : Nepenthes Bistro
5. Ramakrishnan : REACH Office (see left)

Please be informed that REACH will be having its 3rd Annual General
Meeting (AGM) on the:

Date : 25 January 2003

Time : 3.00pm
Venue : Heritage Hotel
 Your presence will determine the direction of REACH for the year to
come.

ACTIVITIES (JUNE-DEC. 2002)

07/07/2002 - Children's Activity

An awareness programme for children

ranging from 5-14 years old was conducted to
introduce the world of insects to them. About
50 participants turned up. Mr.Kali and
Mr.Chia from Camping Holidays conducted
an elaborate explanation on the identification
of insects, their life cycle and the role of the
insects in the food web to create awareness
among the children. This activity created
awareness among the participants to
appreciate insects in their natural context.
Among the insects that the young participants
studied were crane flies, beetles, stick
insects, green-nymph and others.
13/07/2002 - Talk on Ferns.

A lecture on ferns by Tony

Roberts was conducted for about
20 REACH members. Roberts
spoke extensively about the
techniques to identify, collect and
store ferns. To help elaborate and
expand upon these topics,
numerous photographs were
shown on the various species
and the life cycle of the ferns.
21/07/2002 - Nature Walk.

A nature appreciation cum photography walk

was conducted for about 30 people
comprising of Sek.Men.Sultan Ahmad Shah
(SMSAS) photography society members and
UNESCO society members. The various
techniques of photography to capture nature
at its best were demonstrated to the
participants.
17/08/2002 - Talk on Household
Recycling.

An activity on household
recycling as a community project
was conducted at the Heritage
Hotel, Tanah Rata. The premise
and drinks were sponsored by
Heritage Hotel. The participants
comprised of REACH members,
Woman's Institute, SMSAS LEO
Club students and members of
the community. The participants
were divided into 3 groups based
 on their language of
communication. Participants were
briefed on how to categorise
recycling materials and were then
allowed to have an open
discussion on their viewpoints
regarding recycling. Among the
suggestions raised were; the
need for an organisation to co-
ordinate the effort, finding a
suitable area, educating the
public on the issue and a lesson
on composting.
24/08/2002 & 31/08/2002 - Exhibitions.

Two exhibitions were held in Cameron

Highlands to highlight REACH, its objectives,
its activities and its future plans. The first was
organised by the Health Department at
Tringkap, which was very successful with
many residents who were curious about
REACH, turning up at the booth to find out
more. The second exhibition was in
conjunction with the Merdeka Day celebration
at Padang Tanah Rata. The exhibition also
turned out to be a forum for REACH to launch
a signature campaign, membership drive and
fund-raising. The results were very
encouraging as the exhibits highlighted
various key aspects including; the past and
present of Cameron Highlands, problems
arising in Cameron Highlands and the natural
beauty of the Highlands, which was an eye-
opener for many.

PILOT REFORESTATION PROJECT AT GUNUNG BRINCHANG

This project was initiated by REACH in partnership with the Department of
Forestry. The site that had been illegally cleared by a local farmer covers an area
of about 15 acres in Gunung Brinchang, which is part of the Ulu Bertam Forest
Reserve. The project was carried out in various stages.

a) Collection of Seedlings
23/06/2002 - Seedlings collection at the Sg.Pauh Forest Reserve
07/07/2002 - Seedlings collection at Tringkap.
27/07/2002 - Seedlings collection at Sg.Pauh Forest Reserve cum the cleaning up
of the Sg.Pauh Forest Reserve was simultaneously carried out in conjunction with
Volunteer's Week.

The participants consisted of UiTM students, the SMSAS Leo Club members,
Japanese Long Stay Club members, REACH members, the Forestry Department
officials and other volunteers. Heritage Hotel sponsored the food and drink while
New Nyen Shin, Brinchang, donated the tools.

b) Collection of Soil
30/06/2002 - Soil collection from Jalan Titiwangsa

c) Replanting
24/10/2002 - The seedlings were tagged at the Forestry Department.
 26/10/2002 - 62 participants took part in the replanting activity at the site.
This ongoing pilot project is a test of sorts to determine the best methodology for
successful reforestation and is envisioned to create a sense of responsibility and
awareness within the community, of their role in safeguarding the forest and the
watersheds. Efforts are being undertaken by REACH members to monitor the
growth rate of the seedlings planted in order to compile the relevant data to
determine the success rate of the project.

Community Outreach Programs

 Japanese classes conducted regularly for the community by REACH
members.
 Promotion of biodegradable bags by REACH members.
 On-going efforts to encourage recycling activity.
 Future plans to conduct English classes for the farmers.
* For more details on the above activities, please contact Dr. Liau Tai Leong.

R.E.A.C.H.
No 1, Jalan Besar, 39100 Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur
Tel: +605-491 4950/491 5950  Fax: +605-491 5832  E-mail: reach@reach.org.my  http://www.reach.org.my
Copyright © 2003 R.E.A.C.H all rights reserved