A campaign, led by the Malaysian Nature Society, is currently underway to stop the destruction of one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests and preventing irreversible damage to the nation's eco-system.

The Belum-Temengor forest reserve, which measures up to a sprawling 300,000 hectares (four times the size of Singapore) is presently under threat from heavy logging activities causing loss of wildlife habitat and siltation of rivers.

The campaign aims to lobby for a stop to logging by gazetting the entire area as the Royal Belum State Park, complete with a site conservation management plan.

Perak Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli Ghazali upon hearing of the campaign on April 19, reportedly said there was 'no way' logging activities would be stopped as it would cost thousands of jobs and an estimated RM35 million in timber revenue annually.

National importance

The MNS, on the other hand, firmly believes the protection of the forests will bring in lucrative long-term eco-tourism benefits, including income and jobs, on a scale that would far outstrip that provided by logging.

Furthermore, Belum-Temengor has already been identified as a Environmentally Sensitive Area (Rank 1) which stipulates the abundance of flora and fauna is of national importance and that the forest should be left untouched.

Apart from a signature campaign to drive this message home to the government, a postcard campaign addressed to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tajol has also been initiated.

The postcard campaign aims to urge the federal government to find ways to support the conservation and sustainable use of Belum-Temengor.

Those wishing to sign an online petition to save Belum-Temengor and obtain further information on the campaign may visit MSN's website .