Going grassroots to save our tiger

The Star

5 days ago

Dedicated guardian: Lara awarding a certificate of appreciation to an Orang Asli ranger under Rimau.
Orang Asli-led patrols, eye on youth offer new hope
PETALING JAYA: A revolution to save our critically endangered Malayan tiger is unfolding, led by the Orang Asli who have called the forests home for generations.
The community is not alone in this cause as the Tiger Protection Society of Malaysia (Rimau) is there to lend a helping hand.
Since its founding in 2018, Rimau continues to empower the Orang Asli in Perak by training them to become skilled patrollers and guardians of their ancestral forests where the tigers live.
Rimau president Lara Ariffin said that they have made major strides in improving their conservation efforts' effectiveness and reach through expanded patrols and improved equipment since November last year.
'We have increased the number of trained Indigenous rangers, particularly in Amanjaya, Korbu and Piah forest reserves, allowing for wider patrol coverage and quicker response to poaching threats.
'With support from our partners, we've also acquired new field equipment, including GPS units, camera traps and a communication tool.
'All these have helped us improve data collection and ranger safety during operations,' she said in an interview.
She said that training has also seen a significant boost with new modules in SMART monitoring, bush craft, first aid and navigation added to the training curriculum for patrollers.
She added that Rimau's Menraq Muda youth programmes are helping instil a sense of stewardship in the next generation through hands-on learning.
'We are looking to expand our patrols to the Bintang Hijau forest reserve by next year with the goal of treating all forests in Perak as one connected landscape.
'While progress has been made, we have yet to reach the optimum ratio of 10 patrollers per 100 square kilometres, which is crucial for effective forest monitoring and anti-poaching efforts.'
Lara added that Rimau has trained four young women from the Jahai community to be pre-school teachers at Rumah Baca with the mission of nurturing the community's children to inherit the mantle of ­forest guardianship.
But it hasn't been without setbacks, including the death of a female tiger they had tracked for over two years on the East-West Highway, as well as a notable decline in wild boar populations due to African swine fever.
On the bright side, Lara said that winning the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) last Novem­ber put a much-­needed national spotlight on their cause.
The recognition led to new partnerships, more sponsors and increased volunteer interest.
'The award affirmed that community-­driven conservation can be both effective and inspiring, encouraging more people to support, share and take part in protecting Malaysia's natural heritage,' she said.
The SGHA returns for the 11th edition to honour everyday Malaysians whose compassion and selflessness have made a lasting impact on others.
With McDonald's Malaysia as the new strategic partner, SGHA is poised to broaden its reach and deepen its impact nationwide.
This year also marks the debut of the McDonald's Caring Hearts Award – a special recognition honouring individuals or grassroots groups whose heartfelt acts of kindness have uplifted lives in profound and lasting ways.
Since its inception in 2015, SGHA has honoured over 100 indivi­duals and organisations whose efforts have inspired action, transformed lives and streng­thened communities nation­wide.