Category Archives: BioD Centre
Environmental Education at The Mossy Forests under the Edge Grant begins
by Cheam May Choo
15th April 2019-Sometimes ‘environmentalists’ need some encouragement too and today is such a day when we feel very encouraged. As I looked across at the enthusiastic faces of the school children before me, listening with rapt attention to what I have to say and answering with such gusto, I felt that I could do this forever.( I was giving a briefing to students from SJKC Cameron ( Cameron Chinese Primary School) on their day’s program in the mossy forests before they head off to Gunung Brinchang. This is the first of the field trips for local school children under a grant by the Edge Education Foundation.)
SJKC Cameron ( Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Cameron ) was founded in 1936 and was so named because it is the first Chinese school to be built in Cameron Highlands. It is located in Ringlet town, where the early Chinese settlers to Cameron Highlands arrived. It is perched on a small hillock at the western corner of Ringlet town. Currently it has 197 students from kindergarten to Standard 6. 
In today’s field trip 30 students participated and the 3 teachers who accompanied them were teachers Cheaw Pey Fen, Tan Teng Wai and Wong Ting Ting.
The children were also asked to fill up a simple questionaire. Teacher Cheaw was a great help in translating some scientific terms into Mandarin.
Pictures of Dimension Data visit to Biodiversity Site on the 23rd March 2018
Dimension Data, a multinational software company and frequent supporter of REACH ,visited the biodiversity site earlier this year. As before, Satya took the group up and entralled them with ‘stories’ of the mossy forest.
Biodiversity Site visit by members of the National Parks Board Singapore 17th May 2018
by Cheam May Choo
Members from the National Parks Board ,Singapore visited our biodiversity site in Gunung Brinchang on the 17th May 2018 to learn more about our conservation efforts and actvities carried out. The team was headed by Mr Ang Wee Foong, Deputy Director (Nursery Management & Native Plant Centre) . Dr Liau Tai Leong,our vice president briefed them and showed them around the site. Also present was Mr Ramakrishnan Ramakrishnan, our president, Saras and Amir.
Upcoming Activities for “Summer”
by Cheam May Choo
Although it is raining cats and dogs outside and Malaysia doesn’t have the 4 seasons, I like to think that “summer” is upon us. Come June and July, Cameron Highlands will see more visitors from the temperate countries, enjoying their summer vacation here. Bookings for local tours will rise and eateries dotting Tanah Rata and Brinchang will be busier than usual. In the mornings,4wd vehicles mainly landrovers in the tourism trade, filled with visitors will make a beeline to favourite hotspots in the mountains such as Gunung Brinchang. Jungle trails will also see more trekkers enjoying the forest. Come sundown if one strolls along Tanah Rata main street, languages heard will not only be English,Malay, Chinese and Indian but also French, German, Spanish , Japanese and a few more.
For our environmental society, we will have more requests than usual for volunteer work from visitors from the Western Countries. This year we would like to welcome 3 students from France namely Thibault, Quentin and Philippe who will be spending 2 months here for volunteer work during their summer break.
Below is our upcoming activities for the month of June and July. Visitors are welcome to join but should pay for their own transport and please contact our office at least 2 days prior.
4th June 2018-Trip to Biodiversity Centre. Facilitators: Siva and Saras
5th June 2018-Air Pollution studies at Biodiversity Centre. Facilitator: Rama
6th June 2018- Boccee Practice with Children with special needs at Cherish (sister organisation) 9 to 11.30am Facilitator: Datin Asseema
7th June 2018-Boccee Practice with Children with special needs at Cherish 9 to 11.30am Facilitator: Datin Asseema
9th June 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitators: Saras/Satya subject to confirmation
10th June 2018-Volleyball practice with Orang Asli Children. Facilitator: Datin Asseema
11th June 2018-Volleyball practice with Orang Asli Children. Facilitator: Datin Asseema
12th June 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitators: Saras/Satya . Activity: Tree planting, Putting fertilizer. Time:8am to 2 pm
19th June 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitators: Saras/Satya . Activity: Tree planting, Putting fertilizer, Tree labelling. Time: 8am to 2 pm
20th June 2018-Volleyball practice with Orang Asli Children. Facilitator: Datin Asseema
21st June 2018-Volleyball practice with Orang Asli Children. Facilitator: Datin Asseema
22nd June 2018- Nature walk with Orang Asli children in Sg Ubi. Facilitator: Datin Aseema
26th June 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitators: Saras/Satya . Activity: Tree planting, Tree labelling. Time: 8am to 2 pm
27th June 2018-Recycling talk in Sekolah Menegah Kebangsaan Kg Raja Facilitators: Datin Asseema, Puan Mazlira
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1st July 2018- Volleyball Competition Final for Girls. Facilitator: Datin Asseema
2nd July 2018-Trip to Biodiversity Centre. Facilitators: Siva and Saras
3rd July 2018-Air Pollution studies at Biodiversity Centre. Facilitators: Rama
7th July 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitators: Amran/Encil Embi Activity: Orchid Walk. Time: 8am to 2 pm- Subject to confirmation
8th July 2018-Volleyball Competition Final for Boys. Facilitator: Datin Asseema
10th July 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitator: Saras/Satya . Activity: Tree planting, Putting fertilizer, Tree labelling. Time: 8am to 2 pm
13th July 2018-Nature walk with children with special needs from Cherish.Facilitator: Saras
17th July 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitators: Saras/Satya . Activity: Tree planting, Nature walk Time: 8am to 2 pm
24th July 2018-Trip to K Terla Batu Gangan Site Facilitators: Saras/Satya . Activity: Tree planting, Nature walk, Time: 8am to 2 pm
Please note that some activities maybe changed without notice due to unforseen circumstances. Some activities maybe added on.
Summary of Activities at Biodiversity centre, Gunung Brinchang 2017
by Cheam May Choo
1.Research with Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
A letter of intent was signed with the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan UMK on the 31st of March 2017 at the biodiversity site in Gunung Brinchang.
In the Letter of Intent, it is stated that both parties shall cooperate in the field of research and conservation as well as field data sharing related to but not limited to research and development and other forms of academic/social collaboration and sharing of resources, facilities, knowledge and skills at the respective institutions for the purpose of research and conservation.After the signing, UMK presented Reach with 2 large posters and 3 research reports.The first poster is on butterflies, moths and beetles. and is prepared by students Nur Amira Zamari Aris, Nursyahirah Zakaria and Nurul Ain Sha’ari and lecturer Cik Nivaarani Arumugam.The second poster is on lichens.The lichens were photographed and documented by Dr Suganthi Appalasamy and Dr Boon Jia Geng
3 research reports were prepared by UMK students ie Diversity of Butterfly at Reach biodiversity centre by Nur Amira bt Zamari Aris, Diversity of Moth at Reach biodiversity centre by Nursyahirah bt Zakaria and Diversity of Beetles at Reach Biodiverisity centre by Nurul Ain Bt Sha’ari. All 3 studies were done at the Reach Biodiversity Centre from July 2016 to August 2016.
In July 2017, 3 groups of students and lecturers conducted research at the Biodiversity Centre. The groups are as follows:
GROUP 1
5 students and a lecturer conducted research on small mammals and bats from 6th to 20th of July 2017. The group was headed by Dr. Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran
GROUP 2
This group of 5 students and 2 lecturers did research on flora from the 6 to 7th of July 2017 and were led by Dr. Suganthi Appalasamy.
GROUP 3
This group of 10 students, 2 lecturers and a lab assistant conducted research on flora from the 10th to 15th of July 2017 and were led by Dr. Nazahatul Anis Amaludin and Dr. Radhiah Zakaria.
2.Collaboration with Meteorological Department on Climate Monitoring
In October 2016 a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Meteorological Department of Malaysia to cooperate in the development and support of research in Climate Monitoring and Atmospheric composition at the Biodiversity Centre in Gunung Brinchang. It would be for a period of 5 years. The findings would be shared by both parties.
In 2017, monitoring of 4 atmospheric parameters began. They include NO nitrogen oxide, NO2 nitrogen dioxide, SO2 sulphur dioxide, and NH# amnonia. Readings are taken monthly and shared with the Meteorological Department. A report on the findings will be out soon.
Reach would like to pay tribute to the memory of the late Mr Ong Lian Poh, former head of Cameron Highlands Weather Station who worked hard to make this possible.
3.Research on preparation of soil improvement material for organic farming
Mr Ng Tien Khuan is currently conducting research on the preparation of soil improvement material using the biodynamic process. In 2017, good quality biodynamic preparation was successfully produced.
Signing the Letter of Intent with Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
Following previous year’s discussion with Universiti Malaysia Kelantan UMK, a letter of intent was signed with them on the 31st of March 2017 at the biodiversity site in Gunung Brinchang.
UMK was represented by (above picture from left to right) Dr Kamarul Ariffin bin Kambali, Dr Nazahatul Anis Amaludin, Dr Radhiah Zakaria, Cik Nivaarani Arumugam, Assoc. Prof Dr Aweng Eh Rak, Dr Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran,Dr Suganthi Appalasamy, Dr Norrimi Rosaida Awang, En Roodhran Amirtham, Madam Aaina Syazwani bin Mohamad Amir Hamzah.
while REACH was represented by Encik Ramakrishnan Ramasamy, Puan Hazlinda, Mr Wong Seng Yee , Encik Uthaya Kumar and Encik Khairil.
In the Letter of Intent, it is stated that both parties shall cooperate in the field of research and conservation as well as field data sharing related to but not limited to research and development and other forms of academic/social collaboration and sharing of resources, facilities, knowledge and skills at the respective institutions for the purpose of research and conservation.