REACH Newsletter Issue No:02/2003

Committee April 2003.

Members
2002/03 Dear members,

President How fast the New Year has progressed. April is already here with its inherent
Ramakrishnan Ramasamy April showers!
Vice President
Embi bin Abdullah In the news - You would have noticed that environmental issues and REACH
have made headlines in local newspapers these past few months. From blowing
Secretary the whistle on illegal forest clearing and highlighting jungle abuse by Film
Zulkifli Ariffin Production crews, REACH has maintained its reputation as the environmental
watchdog of Cameron Highlands.
Assistant Secretary
Terese Karon
Recycling - REACH has also continued to be a prime initiator and educator of
Treasurer the beneficial effects of recycling in our community. A few recycling centers have
George Theseira been set up to serve as collection centers for community. Please help us by
contributing to this noble project. The list of centers for you to send your
Committee Members
Amran bin Nazar Khan recyclable materials can be found in this newsletter.
Cheam May Choo
Gary Theseira Newsletter - The newsletter will have regular features and reports in the
K.S.Rajoo
Kaliyannan K. following areas: "Exhibitions", "Education & Awareness", "Member Activities" and
Liau Tai Leong "Current Environmental Issues". We also invite members to contribute articles of
Murad Kamaruddin interest, anecdotes or other relevant news items for publication here. If there's
Subramaniam @ Madi
Tony Ng something you wish to see in these newsletters please do let us know and we will
Vijendra Daniel see if we can accommodate your wishes.

Photographer Members Meeting - Protecting our environment is not the task of a few
Amran Bin Nazar Khan
members of the REACH committee - it is a task for all of us. We do hope that
members will continue to support the efforts of the committee by your
participation in activities organized by REACH during the year. You are
especially invited to attend our monthly meetings on :

Date : 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Time : 5.00 pm
Venue : REACH Office

Vijendra Daniel
Editor
ACTIVITIES (JAN – MARCH 2003)
RE-PLANTING OF THE LADY SLIPPER
IN THE WILD - (24 Jan 2003)

The Biodiversity team launched the

second project to re-plant the
Paphiopedilum barbatum (lady slipper),
which is on the verge of extinction due to
excessive harvesting. Our orchid experts
Embi Abdullah and Kaliyanan briefed the
invited guests and members of the media
on the re-planting process. Among the
guests of honor were WWF(M) Executive
Director Dato’ Dr. Mikaail Kavanagh,
WWF(M) officials and Forestry
Department Officials.
3rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING -
(25 Jan. 2003).

REACH held the 3rd AGM and election of

new office bearers at the Heritage Hotel.
The new committee for the second term
was elected. The President was re-
elected in show of no contest to the
position. This acknowledges the show of
support and trust of the members in his
leadership. The present committee
comprises a blend of the old line-up and
new faces.
SPIRIT OF THE LAND AWARD
PRESENTATION - (25 Jan. 2003)

In conjunction with the 3rd AGM, WWF(M)

took the opportunity to share the Spirit of
the Land Award presented to them at the
Winter Olympics 2002 and present
REACH with a replica of the award. This
 REACH with a replica of the award. This
award acknowledges the commitment a
support of the REACH committee in their
efforts to the local community and
environment.
PERAK ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATIONAL FAIR - (16 Feb. 2003)

This exhibition was held at the Dewan

Bandaraya Swimming Complex in Ipoh
on Sunday, 16th February. It was jointly
organized by the Perak Dept. of
Education and UNESCO. Members of
REACH committee set up a booth at this
fair to educate students on the fragile
state of the environment in Cameron
Highlands. About 310 school students
attended this fair. VIP's that visited the
REACH booth included WWF officials, the
chairman of UNESCO and other
distinguished guests
ORIGAMI LESSON - (26 Feb 2003)

This was held on Wednesday, 26

February at the REACH office. Mrs.
Hagiwana, a member of the Japan -
Cameron Highlands Long Stay Club,
conducted this enlightening session.
Participants were taught how to make
intricate paper models of various objects
using recyclable paper. About 20 adults
and children attended this session. The
facilitator was invited to conduct similar
programmes during the Children's
Painting Contest on 9 March 2003.
WILD ORCHID OF THE HIGHLAND
EXHIBITION, TALK & SLIDE SHOW –
(1 Mar 2003)

A talk and slide show was presented by

En. Embi Abdullah the head of the
Biodiversity team. Over 500 species of
orchids have been photographed and
documented since 2002. Seven new
species have been recorded and sent to
International horticulture agencies for
documentation and confirmation. These
seven species have been recorded after
their local discoverers.
TALK ON BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION
TOWARDS PLANT CONSERVATION
– (1 Mar 2003)

The community were also treated to a

very special talk and exhibition by Lalita
Rochanakorn an artist and the recipient
of the prestigious Grenfell Medallist that
was awarded to her in February 1999 by
The Royal Horticultural Society in London
for her botanical paintings. Ms.
Rochanakorn displayed about 20 of her
best orchid sketches for the public.
Approximately sixty people attended this
exhibition and slide show.
NATURE WALK - (2 Mar 2003)

This was held on Sunday, March 2. The

main objective was to instill a sense of
appreciation among local residents of the
natural flora and rich orchid treasures of
the Highlands. A few species of wild
growing orchids were encountered on
this walk, which attracted about 28
participants.
EDUCATIONAL LECTURE -
(3 Mar 2003)

En. Embi Abdullah had the privilege of

giving a brief lecture to over a hundred
university students from UPM at the
Barre Center, Cameron Highlands on
Monday, 3 March. In his lecture, En.
Embi highlighted the activities of REACH
and spoke on the various biodiversity
projects currently being undertaken,
including the orchid conservation project.
WORKSHOP ON WATER ISSUES
RELATED TO HEALTH IN PUTRAJAYA
- (6 Mar 2003)

Ramakrishnan (REACH President) was

invited to participate in a workshop
organized by JPS. REACH was the only
community based NGO invited. The
President highlighted issues and views
from a community perspective and
thanked the organizer for recognizing
REACH's role in the process.
 WORKSHOP ON BOTANIC
ILLUSTRATIONS - (8 & 9 Mar 2003)
In conjunction with Orchid Month 2003, a
workshop on botanic illustrations was
held on 8-9 March. About 12 people
attended this two-day workshop which
was facilitated by Ms.Rochanakorn.
Participants were taught the finer points
of botanic illustration using orchids, with
the aim of improving orchid identification
and conservation.

CHILDREN'S PAINTING
COMPETITION - (9 Mar 2003)
This very successful competition
attracted more than 150 children of all
ages. The event was held at the Sg.
Pauh Forest Reserve campsite in Tanah
Rata on 9th March, SJK (T) Kuala Terla
on 13th March and SRK Convent, Tanah
Rata on 14th March The theme of the
competition was "Orchids of the
Highlands". The children had a fun
educational experience and were given
much insightful advice on the importance
of plant, and especially orchid,
conservation. The winners from each
category were awarded prizes and
certificate at a ceremony held at
Nepenthes Restaurant, Tanah Rata.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1. WWF(M) - Spirit of the Land Award and RM5000 Donation

REACH is greatly honored by WWFM's gesture to share the Spirit of the Land Award
presented to WWFM in the Winter 2002 Olympics. WWFM's acknowledgement and
support of REACH and our efforts to the local community and environment is a
strong motivation for us. During the 3rd AGM REACH was presented with a RM5, 000
cheque from WWF(M).

2. BOH TEA PLANTATION - RM 5000.00 DONATION

The members and committee of REACH are extremely grateful to Boh Tea
Plantations for their kind and generous gift of RM 5000.00. This donation will go
towards the preservation and conservation of Cameron Highlands flora and fauna
through efforts sponsored by REACH.

3. SPONSORS - Orchid Month Activities.

Prizes were sponsored by Equatorial Hotel, Heritage Hotel, Strawberry Park, Clinic
Liau & Cheam, Yamaha Music School, HSBC Bank, Arab Malaysian Finance, WWFM,
T-Café, Pn.Aseema, En.Kamarul, Pn. Anim Fariza and Mr.Sunny Low. Our
appreciation to Mr. K.S Rajoo for the use of the exhibition hall of Nepenthes
Restaurant.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. RECYCLABLE COLLECTION CENTERS- Please be informed that you can bring

your discarded bottles, plastics, aluminum and newspapers to the following centers
for collection and recycling:

Tanah Rata Brinchang

Nepenthes Restaurant Clinic Liau & Cheam
T-Cafe Desa Anthrium, Block A & Q
Camelia Apts.
 2. WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS- We wish to express our appreciation to all
our members who have renewed and are pleased to welcome 34 new members who
have signed over this first quarter of the year. We look forward to your continued
support and participation in all our activities.

3. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL POINTS / NEWSLETTER COLLECTION / MONTHLY

ACTIVITY UPDATES/ MEMBERS NOTICE BOARD-
The following establishments will serve as a center to dissemination of information
Tanah Rata - WWF Office, Nepenthes Restaurant. Brinchang - REACH Office, Clinic
Liau & Cheam

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