REACH Newsletter Issue

No:01/2004
Committee Members March 2004.
2003/04
Greetings my fellow nature lovers!
President
Ramakrishnan Ramasamy It is good to be back again since our last issue in August. As you can imagine, many
things have happened since we last wrote and in this issue we would like to highlight
Vice President some of these.
Embi bin Abdullah
Perhaps, one of REACH’s main achievements this past six months is the
Secretary establishment of its new website. In it you can find information on current projects,
Zulkifli Ariffin reports on environmental issues, the latest news reports from the national media, a
photo gallery and links to other environmental agencies working in the Highlands. Of
Assistant Secretary course, there are loads of other interesting information on the website so do visit the
Terese Karon site if you haven’t already done so at http://www.reach.org.my.

Treasurer Do you realise just how much thrash is thrown away each day? In Malaysia alone,
George Theseira we generate approximately 15000 tonnes of garbage a day! You will be happy to
know that REACH, in association with the local town council (MDCH), has put
Committee Members together a program for the efficient and environmentally safe way to recycle
Amran bin Nazar Khan household garbage. You can read more in Dr. Liau’s report inside.
Cheam May Choo
Gary Theseira Mahatma Gandhi once said, “It is the action not the fruit of the action that is
K.S.Rajoo
important. You have to do the right thing. You may never know what results
Kaliyannan K.
Liau Tai Leong come from your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no result”.
Murad Kamaruddin
Subramaniam @ Madi Yes, if we all play our small part in saving the environment we can make a
Tony Ng difference. Maybe not in the world, maybe not even in the rest of Malaysia, but
Vijendra Daniel definitely we can make a difference here in the Cameron Highlands!

Photographer That’s what REACH is about. A small group of like-minded individuals recycling,
Amran Bin Nazar Khan replanting, educating, monitoring and caring enough to make a difference in
Cameron Highlands.

Cameron Highlands needs a helping hand. Yours!

Vijendra Daniel

Editor

R.E.A.C.H. Newsletter Issue 01/2004 1

 REFORESTATION PROJECT –
Gunung Brinchang

The main objectives of this reforestation activity are:

- To restore selected deforested and cleared areas within the water catchment
areas.
- To serve as a demonstration of one of the possible mitigation measures to
handle erosion, siltation and landslides for future community- led
reforestation activities in the highlands.
- To identify suitable tree species, ground cover, methodology and approach
that is best suited for reforestation at such an altitude
- To improve the water quality on the long run while ensuring adequate water
supply.
- Most importantly to create a sense of responsibility, ownership and
awareness within the community, of their role in safeguarding the forest and
the watersheds.

A group of 18 students from University Malaya and Universiti Tenaga Nasional participated in
this project. These students having learnt about conservation efforts in the highlands
expressed interest to be part of these efforts. Therefore an activity involving these students
and REACH was conducted on 17th January 2004.

The volunteers taking a break after the hike

One of the volunteer demonstrating the planting method,

while Mr. Kaliyannan, REACH Committee member (extreme left,
partly hidden in black T-shirt) watches over.
The enthusiastic students endured the tough hike up to the hill to reach the site carrying
hoe, spades and water. Approximately 90 new tree saplings were planted that day

R.E.A.C.H. Newsletter Issue 01/2004 2