Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve & Belum Rainforest Resort

A vantage point from Deluxe Suite looking towards the connecting bridge to Pulau Banding

Belum Rainforest Resort is the only resort in Malaysia to be ISO certified as the most sustainable resort in Malaysia. Whatever the property intends to do, it makes sure that the property minimises impact on nature as much as possible. 70% of the property’s guests hail from overseas, particularly Europe.

By Juhan Kamaruddin on December 2, 20132 minutes read

Belum Rainforest Resort, located on Pulau Banding, is surrounded by over 130 million year-old Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve.

The property intends to educate the public about the cruciality of protecting nature, in line with the aspiration of EMKAY Group, the company that owns the resort. According to EMKAY Group Chief Executive Officer, Tuan Haji Ahmad Khalif bin Tan Sri Datuk Haji Mustapha Kamal, the company intends to walk the talk when it comes to conserving the environment and championing sustainability.

The development of Pulau Banding, where Belum Rainforest Resort is located, is governed by the Pulau Banding Charter that was created back in 2007, which allows the entire island to become the gateway to the Royal Belum State Park and functions as the protector to the surrounding four forest reserves and indigenous communities located within the area. It also ensures that any development done on Pulau Banding, such as the planned high end eco-friendly villas, is strongly rooted in sustainability.

Besides the resort, there is also the Pulau Banding Foundation Research Centre that helps researchers and scientists learn more about Belum-Temengor’s rich biodiversity. They are also in the midst of constructing an interpretative centre so that the public can learn and appreciate Malaysia’s rainforests and understand why they need to be conserved.

The entire Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve comprises 4 forest reserves, with the combined size of 300,000 hectares. The area is also home to two indigenous tribes, the Temiar and the Jahai.

Belum-Temengor region is the hornbill capital of the world. There are 10 species of hornbills available here compared to eight in Sarawak. It is also home to the kelah or masheer sanctuary. It is also home to 3 types of Rafflesia: azlanii, cantleyi and kerrii.

Tropical rainforests occupy only 3-4% of our planet’s surface, but produce 30-40% of the world’s oxygen. That is why it is crucial for humans to conserve them.

According to Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, YB Dato’ Seri Nazri Aziz, the government is considering listing the Belum-Temengor Forest Reserve as a UNESCO heritage site but public must understand that the process is long and not easy.