Latest news with #RazaliIdris
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Elephant grass to keep elephants out: Terengganu banks on nature to curb wild raids
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 25 — The Terengganu government is proposing to plant Napier grass in logged areas to prevent wild elephant encroachments, as the state ramps up efforts to protect both wildlife and residents. The move comes as Terengganu is identified as one of five states facing serious disruptions from wild elephant encroachment, Harian Metro reported today. 'All logging areas, especially locations that are elephant pathways, will be planted with Napier grass after felling activities are completed,' Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris was quoted as saying. He said the initiative will target logging zones, especially those along traditional elephant routes. Napier grass is also called elephant grass because the plant grows to a height of two to three metres, and because elephants reportedly love to munch on them. The government is working with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to create designated roaming zones for the elephants before planting Napier grass there. Razali said the state has already spent RM3.5 million on installing 89.5km of electric elephant fencing. The state government will also deploy two new volunteer ranger teams in Kemaman and Setiu to curb early threats. The Basung Rangers, already operating in Hulu Terengganu, consist of 60 per cent local residents, with the rest from security agencies such as the police, the district office and Perhilitan. Razali said the team had proven successful since its launch in January. The state government also plans to increase lighting in areas frequently visited by elephant herds, to deter the animals from straying into farms and destroying crops. As for losses due to elephant damage, a dedicated RM2 million annual State Disaster Fund has been set up. The fund will assist farmers hit by wild animal attacks, natural disasters or livestock diseases. The initiative is led by the state Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Food Security and Commodities Committee under Datuk Azman Ibrahim.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Elephant grass to keep elephants out: Terengganu banks on nature to curb wild raids
KUALA TERENGGANU, May 25 — The Terengganu government is proposing to plant Napier grass in logged areas to prevent wild elephant encroachments, as the state ramps up efforts to protect both wildlife and residents. The move comes as Terengganu is identified as one of five states facing serious disruptions from wild elephant encroachment, Harian Metro reported today. 'All logging areas, especially locations that are elephant pathways, will be planted with Napier grass after felling activities are completed,' Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris was quoted as saying. He said the initiative will target logging zones, especially those along traditional elephant routes. Napier grass is also called elephant grass because the plant grows to a height of two to three metres, and because elephants reportedly love to munch on them. The government is working with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to create designated roaming zones for the elephants before planting Napier grass there. Razali said the state has already spent RM3.5 million on installing 89.5km of electric elephant fencing. The state government will also deploy two new volunteer ranger teams in Kemaman and Setiu to curb early threats. The Basung Rangers, already operating in Hulu Terengganu, consist of 60 per cent local residents, with the rest from security agencies such as the police, the district office and Perhilitan. Razali said the team had proven successful since its launch in January. The state government also plans to increase lighting in areas frequently visited by elephant herds, to deter the animals from straying into farms and destroying crops. As for losses due to elephant damage, a dedicated RM2 million annual State Disaster Fund has been set up. The fund will assist farmers hit by wild animal attacks, natural disasters or livestock diseases. The initiative is led by the state Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Food Security and Commodities Committee under Datuk Azman Ibrahim.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Terengganu to plant Napier grass as food for wild elephants to reduce conflicts
KUALA TERENGGANU: The cultivation of Napier grass as an alternative food source for wild elephants is among the initiatives proposed by the Terengganu government to address wildlife conflicts in the state. In addition to planting the grass, the state government is also proposing the installation of an electric fence system, the establishment of volunteer ranger teams and the implementation of lighting systems. State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said all logging areas, especially along elephant routes, would be planted with Napier grass once the tree-felling activities were completed. He said the state government, in collaboration with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), would identify and prepare designated roaming areas for wild elephants before planting the Napier grass there. "So far, the government has spent RM3.5 million to install approximately 89.5km of electric fence to prevent conflicts with these animals. "We will also set up two more volunteer ranger teams in the districts of Kemaman and Setiu as an early preventive measure against wild elephant intrusions," he said. Razali, who is Kijal assemblyman, was commenting on the issue of wild elephant conflicts in the state. Terengganu has been identified among the five states facing disturbances from wild elephants. He said the Basung Ranger team, comprising 60 per cent local residents and other personnel from the police, the Hulu Terengganu district office and Perhilitan, had been effective in addressing the issue of wild elephant encroachments since its formation in January. He added that the state government also planned to increase lighting systems in all areas identified as elephant hotspots to deter the animals from entering and destroying crops. "We will install solar-powered lights in areas where elephant intrusions frequently occur," he said. Regarding compensation for crop damage caused by wild elephants, Razali said the state government, through the Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Food Security and Commodities Committee, had established a state disaster fund of RM2 million annually to support the agricultural sector, which frequently faced natural disasters and livestock diseases, as well as other unexpected calamities.
