Striking a balance between development and environmental protection in Cameron Highlands

Chan N.W., . (2006) Striking a balance between development and environmental protection in Cameron Highlands. [Proceedings Paper]

Cameron Highlands is one of the major tourist destinations in Malaysia. At the same time it is also one of the significant agricultural areas producing not only for the domestic market but also for export. Geographically the area is located on the highland and spine and of Peninsular Malaysia with largely steep slopes and hill peaks and is hence classified as environmentally and ecologically sensitive. However it remains one of few areas with a cool climatic regime in a hot equatorial country. Historically Cameron Highlands was discovered by the British colonialists who found life in the hot and humid lowlands andquot;unbearableandquot;. The area was initially developed as a sanatorium but later became a popular highland resort. Tea was subsequently introduced and became a major product of the area even until today. Subsequently vegetable and flower farming became popular and the area was rapidly developed. Over the years as a result of rapid development Cameron Highlands has undergone phenomenal changes over the last half-century or so. Some of these changes have brought economic benefits but they have also resulted in negative impacts such as environmental hazards and disasters. Rapid development in the areas of agriculture tourism urbanization and more recently housing and infrastructure highways has brought negative effects on the once pristine environment. Still development pressures are mounting as more and more areas are coming under increasing threat from uncontrolled clearing of forests extraction of forest resources opening of farms new highways and housing schemes extraction of medicinal plants and other forest products for sale construction and the vagaries of climatic change. Due to their high altitude and isolated locality degradation of the mountains is difficult to monitor and often go unnoticed. The remoteness of the area makes enforcement difficult and haphazard development over the years has led to a multitude of environmental problems as pressures from tourism construction development pollution deforestation and climate changes are eroding the landscape of these vital ecological mountain ranges leading to deforestation destruction of water catchments soil erosion and landslides water shortages and pollution sedimentation of waterways and reservoirs and downstream flooding. In terms of human society the impacts have also been felt especially loss of life injury damage to infrastructure and farms crop loss and income reduction due to landslides. This chapter examines the major environmental issues and looks at ways in which they can be managed in a more sustainable manner.

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Abstract

Cameron Highlands is one of the major tourist destinations in Malaysia. At the same time it is also one of the significant agricultural areas producing not only for the domestic market but also for export. Geographically the area is located on the highland and spine and of Peninsular Malaysia with largely steep slopes and hill peaks and is hence classified as environmentally and ecologically sensitive. However it remains one of few areas with a cool climatic regime in a hot equatorial country. Historically Cameron Highlands was discovered by the British colonialists who found life in the hot and humid lowlands andquot;unbearableandquot;. The area was initially developed as a sanatorium but later became a popular highland resort. Tea was subsequently introduced and became a major product of the area even until today. Subsequently vegetable and flower farming became popular and the area was rapidly developed. Over the years as a result of rapid development Cameron Highlands has undergone phenomenal changes over the last half-century or so. Some of these changes have brought economic benefits but they have also resulted in negative impacts such as environmental hazards and disasters. Rapid development in the areas of agriculture tourism urbanization and more recently housing and infrastructure highways has brought negative effects on the once pristine environment. Still development pressures are mounting as more and more areas are coming under increasing threat from uncontrolled clearing of forests extraction of forest resources opening of farms new highways and housing schemes extraction of medicinal plants and other forest products for sale construction and the vagaries of climatic change. Due to their high altitude and isolated locality degradation of the mountains is difficult to monitor and often go unnoticed. The remoteness of the area makes enforcement difficult and haphazard development over the years has led to a multitude of environmental problems as pressures from tourism construction development pollution deforestation and climate changes are eroding the landscape of these vital ecological mountain ranges leading to deforestation destruction of water catchments soil erosion and landslides water shortages and pollution sedimentation of waterways and reservoirs and downstream flooding. In terms of human society the impacts have also been felt especially loss of life injury damage to infrastructure and farms crop loss and income reduction due to landslides. This chapter examines the major environmental issues and looks at ways in which they can be managed in a more sustainable manner.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. S589.76 P3C182 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	HIGHLANDS
AGROVOC Term:	ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGROVOC Term:	DEFORESTATION
AGROVOC Term:	DISASTERS
AGROVOC Term:	SUSTAINABILITY
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:28
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16876

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