Priority Landscapes in South-east Asia

Taman Negara-Belum-Hala-Bala - Malaysia, Thailand

This transboundary landscape straddles much of northern Peninsular Malaysia and a small area of southern Thailand. It overlaps the Peninsular Malaysian Lowland and Montane Forests Global 200 Ecoregion. Also a WWF AREAS priority landscape, much of it is an important TCU. Taman Negara National Park alone harbours around 90 breeding tigers and more are found in adjoining areas.

A complete survey is yet to be undertaken in other parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Logging operations and road development pose a big threat to tiger habitat, and conversion of forests to agriculture or commercial plantations has resulted in more frequent encounters between tigers and livestock. Human-tiger conflict has resulted in very strong negative sentiments towards tigers.

Mitigating human-wildlife conflict
WWF has been leading an initiative to reduce human-wildlife conflict through better livestock management. By helping farmers build more secure cattle sheds, WWF has managed to reverse a decision by the State government to eliminate all tigers.

Now WWF is working with local communities and state governments to replicate its conflict mitigation activities in other areas. In addition, WWF is also working on management of High Conservation Value Forests.