Raja of Perlis urges people to play active role in conserving nature

PADANG BESAR: The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, has urged the people of the state to cultivate a culture of love for the environment by taking an active part in conservation efforts as advocated by the Forestry Department.

His Royal Highness said such efforts would help enhance the nation’s ecosystem and biodiversity to ensure a better future for generations to come.

“I am confident that the Forestry Department will continue to excel in fulfilling its responsibility of managing the state’s forest treasures, in line with its vision of becoming the leading authority in sustainable tropical forest management,” he said when closing the Northernmost International Bird Race Wang Kelian 2025 at Arked Niaga Wang Kelian near here today.

The Raja of Perlis said that according to a bird inventory conducted by the Perlis Forestry Department in collaboration with the Nature Sustainable Ecosystem Society (NEST) in 2022, a total of 197 bird species were recorded along the Nakawan Range and 170 species in the Wang Kelian area.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin expressed confidence that the organisation of such competitions would help keep bird records in the Nakawan Range and Wang Kelian updated from time to time.

“With proper implementation, programmes like this can enhance public understanding and awareness of the importance of species diversity within an ecosystem.

“It is my sincere hope that the Northernmost International Bird Race Wang Kelian will continue to be held in the coming years to attract more tourists to Perlis, particularly those interested in birdwatching,” he said.

His Royal Highness said the competition, now in its second year since its introduction in 2023, has become one of the most anticipated annual events among bird enthusiasts, on par with the Fraser’s Hill Bird Race in Pahang, Taiping Bird Week in Perak, Wings of KKB and Pesta Sayap in Selangor and the Borneo Bird Fair.

“I believe that through this activity, the people of the state, especially those living in Wang Kelian and Kaki Bukit, will benefit indirectly from economic spillovers.

“Therefore, I urge everyone to seize this opportunity and further develop the long-untapped potential,” he said.

Meanwhile, Perlis Forestry director Ag Shaffie Ag Ahmadni said Wang Kelian has been designated as a special site for bird observation.

“What makes Wang Kelian and Perlis unique is their limestone forest ecosystem.

“Such forests have distinct vegetation compared to other areas, and because of this, the food sources are also different.

“This variation in food sources attracts some bird species that may be more inclined to feed here.

“This makes Perlis unique compared to other places.

“I do not deny that some bird species found elsewhere can also be found here, but the limestone forest characteristics give this ecosystem its own distinct identity,” he said.

NEST chairman Sulaiman Salikan said between three and five bird species were identified during the birdwatching competition, including the black-backed dwarf kingfisher and ‘rajawali’.

– Bernama

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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