POKOK CHENGAL BESAR

(Neobalanocarpus hemii)
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Genus: Neobalanocarpus
Spesies: Neobalanocarpus heimii

Chengal tree is a popular hardwood tree. The natural distribution of this tree is restricted
to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Southern Thailand. Chengal is found in mixed dipterocarp
tropical lowland forests, especially on undulating lands, in swampy areas and sometimes in dry
areas of swamp forests. Chengal is a durable hardwood timber and has a density of between 915
to 980 kilograms per cubic meter is normally used in heavy construction work, especially boats
construction, pillars and bridges without the need to preserve because it is resistant from termites
attacks.
In Malaysia, a chengal tree grows in lowland areas less than 1000 meters elevation,
especially in areas with good water drainage. Normally chengal tree grows well in the areas that
receive rainfall more than 2,000 millimeter per year and no drought. The largest and oldest
Chengal Tree in Malaysia was found in Pasir Raja Forest Reserve, Terengganu. This tree reaches
a height of 65 meter with 16.75 meter girth. This trees age is estimated 1,300 years based on the
trees circulation method of the tropic area which has the growth rings at a rate 0.4 cm per annum.

The extinction factor
Extinction is the end of a group of organisms (taxon), normally a species. The moment of
extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the group (although the
capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point). Because a species' potential
range may be very large, determining this moment is difficult, and is usually done
retrospectively. This difficulty leads to phenomena such as Lazarus taxa, where a species
presumed extinct abruptly "re-appears" (typically in the fossil record) after a period of apparent
absence. Many factors are driving an unprecedented rate of extinction of plant and animal
species worldwide. Although extinction is a natural process, the rate at which current extinction
is taking place is clearly not, and all scientific evidence indicates that the activities of mankind
are the primary engine behind most recent and present extinction events.

Illegal Logging Problem
According to Trade Record Analysis of Fauna and Flora, mentioned between 1986 and
June 1990 in Malaysia -500 000 hectares of forest are cut down, but the approval of the total area
is permitted only 320,000 hectares. This indicates that illegal logging occurs without being
monitor and control by the authorities. Illegal loggers also cut down protected tree species such
as Meranti and Chengal. Meranti and Chengal wood is the kind of high quality, tough and
durable timber. It is suitable to be use as basic materials to build houses or others structures.
There are also syndicates of illegal logging in protected areas such as forest reserves and national
parks. When logging activities were carried out it also destroys various nearby plants. Large-
scale felling will also lead to shrinking habitat for the animals. This will lead to the extinction of
wildlife in the forest.



Forest Burning
Forest fires activities in the open areas similar to what happened in Kalimantan and
Sumatra cause a threatened species in the destroyed area. An open forest burning activities also
could lead to the increase on the global temperature of the gases and particles produced when
biomass is burned. The particles produced cause short-term global cooling, but over decades the
gases overwhelm this cooling effect to cause long-term global warming.

Global Warming
Global warming increase in world temperatures is also among the main causes of the
extinction of flora and fauna. Factors of climate change, this is not a new thing in the extinction
of flora and fauna are among the factors which prehistoric animal extinction as dinosaur is due to
climate change. This phenomenon causes the extinction of some animals and plants species
which could cant adapted adapt with the drastic weather. This factor will almost cause the
extinction of life. Scientific consensus is that global warming results from an atmospheric build
up of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide. Of the carbon dioxide that we humans
contribute, roughly two-thirds is from the burning of fossil fuels and one-third is from the
burning of biomass, such as forests, grasslands and agricultural crops.
Opening a New Land
The opening of new areas for agricultural land such as by Felda and Felcra also gives an
impact for the reduction of the flora and fauna species.
Measures to Overcome
Establishing sustainable management system that can protect the elements of forest
biodiversity, especially species in danger of extinction. (The cultivation of natural forests, limit
or determine the capacity of forest products). Documentation of species diversity in the forest
before an action is done to change the status area. Recognize more natural forest as recreational
parks, marine parks or national parks with sufficient generality. Enforce the Act and legal action
to prevent logging, especially illegal logging. (Logging in protected areas of forest - national
park) poaching or destruction of plant species that are not regulated as plant varieties of
orchids.Conducting research by FRIM, Wildlife and Environment Department. For example, the
efforts of the Wildlife Department for review extinction Malayan tiger. (Now total only 600
pieces all over Malaysia)
Conclusion
People are responsible for the destruction of habitats for many now extinct animals.
Human beings have made many changes to the face of the planet without regard for the other
forms of life living on the Earth. We have destroyed habitats that were the only viable home for
certain species. Additionally, we have hunted and harvested other species to the point where they
no longer had enough members for genetically diverse reproduction. I believe that humans have
caused the extinctions of other species because of the increasing numbers of extinct species, as
human habitation spreads. As humans have spread over the globe, the numbers of extinct and
endangered species have soared. When humans move into areas where other species live, the
humans often destroy animal habitats. Some species are adaptable and co-exist with humans,
while some simply move on. But, many species are dependent on something in their environment
to survive, such as a particular food source. Furthermore, humans hunt other animals for food,
for sport and to protect domestic livestock. Living in an area with another species can give
humans the opportunity to hunt animals with which they may now be sharing an environment.
Such close contact between humans and other animal species has resulted in the decimation of
many species, which are now extinct or endangered.