Ulu Muda Forest Explained

Photo Width:250px
Area:1152.57km2
Native Name:Hutan Ulu Muda
Native Lang:ms
Location:Kedah, Malaysia

The Greater Ulu Muda Forest Complex (GUMFC) is a large expanse of lowland dipterocarp forest in Baling and Sik Districts, Kedah, Malaysia, on the border with Thailand. The area has high biodiversity thanks to relatively low rates of poaching and human intrusion. A number of endangered species are known to be present in the GUMFC. The forest is in the Peninsular Malaysian rain forests ecoregion.[1]

The water that it provides through the man-made Muda, Pedu and Ahning lakes provide water to the Muda agricultural area as well as much of Kedah, Penang and Perlis.

The forest has been both selectively and illegally logged in the past, possibly causing excess sedimentation of the water courses, and the future of the forest remains uncertain.

The majority of the forest is not very accessible, the easiest point of entry being the KOPAM jetty on Muda Lake.

Ulu Muda Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 1152.57 km2. The reserve adjoins San Kala Khiri National Park in Thailand.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
  2. https://www.protectedplanet.net/country/MY "Malaysia". Protected Planet. Accessed 16 May 2020
  3. Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.