Striking a balance between development and environmental protection in Cameron Highlands

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.