Editing Perak (section)

=== Biodiversity ===
[[File:Belum Rainforest Resort Outdoor Walkway, Perak, Malaysia.jpg|thumb|Belum Rainforest Resort Outdoor Walkway on [[Banding Island]] in [[Temenggor Lake]]]]

The jungles of Perak are highly [[Biodiversity|biodiverse]]. The state's main natural park, [[Belum-Temengor|Royal Belum State Park]], covers an area of {{convert|117500|hectare|0|abbr=on}} in northern Perak. It contains 18 species of [[frog]] and [[toad]], 67 species of [[snake]], more than 132 species of [[beetle]], 28 species of [[cicada]], 97 species of [[moth]], and 41 species of [[dragonflies|dragonfly]] and [[damselflies|damselfly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heritage.gov.my/media/k2/Warisan%20Dunia/RBSP/RBSP.pdf|title=Royal Belum State Park|via=Department of National Heritage, Malaysia|access-date=12 October 2019|pages=5/9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012091056/http://www.heritage.gov.my/media/k2/Warisan%20Dunia/RBSP/RBSP.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The park was further gazetted as a National Heritage Site by the federal government in 2012, and was inscribed on the [[List of World Heritage Sites in Malaysia#Tentative list|World Heritage Site tentative list]] of [[UNESCO]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6176/|title=Royal Belum State Park|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012090510/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6176/|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Royal Belum State Park also hosts an estimated 304 [[bird]] species, including [[bird migration|migratory]] species, in addition to birds endemic to the three forest reserve areas of Pangkor Island.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-borneo-post/20180920/281943133795601|title=Birdwatching: An ecotourism potential|author=Ahmad Erwan Othman|newspaper=The Borneo Post|via=[[PressReader]]|date=20 September 2018|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.wildlife.gov.my/images/document/penerbitan/jurnal/JWP%202009-2010%20VOLUME%2026/JWP%202009-2010%20VOL%2026_10.pdf|title=A Checklist of Birds at Three Forest Reserves of Pangkor Island, Perak|author1=Rahmah Ilias|author2=Hamdon Tak|journal=Journal of Wildlife and Parks|via=Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Peninsular Malaysia|year=2010|access-date=12 October 2019|volume=XXVI|issue=26|pages=71–77|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012115222/http://www.wildlife.gov.my/images/document/penerbitan/jurnal/JWP%202009-2010%20VOLUME%2026/JWP%202009-2010%20VOL%2026_10.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ten [[hornbill]] species are found within the area, including large flocks of the [[plain-pouched hornbill]]. Mammal species include the ''[[Seladang]]'', [[Asian elephant]], and [[Malayan tiger]]. The area is also notable for harbouring high concentrations of at least three ''[[Rafflesia]]'' species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwf.org.my/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests_main/forest_protect/protect_projects/project_royal_belum/|title=Royal Belum|publisher=[[World Wide Fund for Nature]]|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012114429/http://www.wwf.org.my/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests_main/forest_protect/protect_projects/project_royal_belum/|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Pulau Sembilan (Nine Islands) State Park in western Perak covers an area of {{convert|214800|hectare|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mybis.gov.my/pa/208|title=Pulau Sembilan|publisher=Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources of Malaysia|via=Malaysia Biodiversity Information System|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013101817/https://www.mybis.gov.my/pa/208|archive-date=13 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its [[coral reefs]] are home to [[coral reef fish]] species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mpm.gov.my/ms/pelawat/destinasi-menarik/pulau-sembilan|title=Pulau Sembilan|trans-title=Nine Islands|language=ms|publisher=Manjung Municipal Council|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013102111/http://www.mpm.gov.my/ms/pelawat/destinasi-menarik/pulau-sembilan|archive-date=13 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, 173 freshwater fish species have been identified as native to the state.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Provisional checklist of freshwater fish diversity and distribution in Perak, Malaysia, and some latest taxonomic concerns|author1=Casey Keat Chuan Ng|author2=Teow Yeong Lim|author3=Amirrudin B. Ahmad|author4=Md Zain Khaironizam|journal=[[Zootaxa]]|year=2019|volume=4567|issue=3|pages=zootaxa.4567.3.5|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4567.3.5|pmid=31715885|s2cid=92400943}}</ref> Another natural attraction, the tin-mining ponds in Kinta District, was gazetted as a state park in 2016. The Kinta Nature Park, Perak's third state park, covers an area of {{convert|395.56|hectare|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/10/02/park-becomes-states-newest-treasure-kinta-nature-park-gazetted-as-a-nature-reserve/|title=Kinta Nature Park gazetted as a nature reserve|author=Amanda Yeap|work=The Star|date=2 October 2017|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bernama.com/state-news/berita.php?id=1619063|title=Kinta nature park never leased out|publisher=Bernama|date=25 July 2018|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013104222/http://www.bernama.com/state-news/berita.php?id=1619063|archive-date=13 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Kuhl's Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon kuhli) (8744026399).jpg|thumb|left|Kuhl's flying gecko (''[[Ptychozoon kuhli]]'') in Tapah Hills]]

The government of Perak has stated its commitment to protecting its forests to ensure the survival of [[endangered species|endangered wildlife]] species, and to protect biodiversity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2013/02/23/committed-to-protect-the-forests/|title=Committed to protect the forests|author=Fong Kee Soon|work=The Star|date=23 February 2013|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref> The Perak Forestry Department is the state body responsible for forest management and preservation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perakforestry.gov.my/index.php/en/mengenai-jpnpk/maklumat-jabatan/perancangan-pengurusan-hutan.html|title=Forest Management & Planning|publisher=Perak State Forestry Department|access-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014024825/http://www.perakforestry.gov.my/index.php/en/mengenai-jpnpk/maklumat-jabatan/perancangan-pengurusan-hutan.html|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, the state planted some 10.9 million [[tree]]s under the "26 Million Tree Planting Campaign: One Citizen One Tree", associated with global [[Earth Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perakforestry.gov.my/index.php/en/mengenai-jpnpk/maklumat-perhutanan/tanaman-pokok.html|title=Tree Planting Program|publisher=Perak State Forestry Department|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012064036/http://www.perakforestry.gov.my/index.php/en/mengenai-jpnpk/maklumat-perhutanan/tanaman-pokok.html|archive-date=12 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Widespread conversion and reclamation of mangroves and [[mudflat]]s for economic and residential purposes has caused the rapid decline of shore birds, 86% of the reduction on the Malay Peninsula having occurred on Perak's coasts.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.kats.gov.my/ms-my/PustakaMedia/Penerbitan/A%20Common%20Vision%20on%20Biodiversity.pdf|title=A Common Vision on Biodiversity|publisher=Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources of Malaysia|year=2008|access-date=14 October 2019|page=7 (23/130)|isbn=978-983-42956-8-4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014033539/http://www.kats.gov.my/ms-my/PustakaMedia/Penerbitan/A%20Common%20Vision%20on%20Biodiversity.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Poaching]] in forest reserve areas has caused a stark decline in [[mammal]] populations. The Perak State Park Corporation estimates that there were only 23 [[Malayan tiger]]s left within the state's two forest reserves of Royal Belum and Temenggor in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/08/04/only-23-tigers-left-in-royal-belum-temenggor/|title=Only 23 tigers left in Royal Belum, Temenggor|work=Bernama|publisher=The Borneo Post|date=4 August 2019|access-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014034832/https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/08/04/only-23-tigers-left-in-royal-belum-temenggor/|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The state government of Perak has also been blamed in part for destroying forest reserves for the lucrative [[timber|wood]] and [[palm oil]] businesses. Records since 2009 reveal that more than {{convert|9000|hectare|0|abbr=on}} of permanent forest reserves have been degazetted in the state, the latest occurring within the Bikam Permanent Forest Reserve in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2013/09/malaysia-clearcutting-forest-reserves-for-timber-and-palm-oil/|title=Malaysia clearcutting forest reserves for timber and palm oil|author=Jeremy Hance|publisher=Mongabay|date=26 September 2013|access-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014041206/https://news.mongabay.com/2013/09/malaysia-clearcutting-forest-reserves-for-timber-and-palm-oil/|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> A number of business activities permitted by the state government have caused environmental damage, including to many of Perak's rivers, which require extensive water treatment because of severe pollution.<ref name="land-based pollution sources">{{cite journal|url=http://www.mima.gov.my/images/Land-based_pollution.pdf|title=Pollution from Land-Based Sources|author=Cheryl Rita Kaur|journal=Profile of the Straits of Malacca: Malaysia's Perspectives|via=Maritime Institute of Malaysia|access-date=14 October 2019|pages=129 & 140 (2 & 8)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014045826/http://www.mima.gov.my/images/Land-based_pollution.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/469561/sungai-raja-hitam-falls-under-class-four-needs-extensive-treatment|title=Sungai Raja Hitam falls under Class Four, needs extensive treatment|author=Zahratulhayat Mat Arif|newspaper=New Straits Times|date=15 March 2019|access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/05/perak-sets-up-taskforce-to-handle-pollution-in-sungai-rui/|title=Perak sets up task force to handle pollution in Sungai Rui|author=Ili Aqilah|work=The Star|date=5 April 2019|access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref> Between 1982 and 1994, the state government was embroiled in a [[1982 Bukit Merah radioactive pollution#Background|radioactive environmental pollution controversy]] over the deaths of seven residents who suffered from [[birth defect]]s and [[leukaemia]] resulting from exposure. The factory involved was only closed and cleaned up following lengthy court action by affected residents and increasing international pressure. No responsibility has been accepted by the associated companies, the state government, or the federal government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/business/energy-environment/09rareside.html|title=Mitsubishi Quietly Cleans Up Its Former Refinery|author=Keith Bradsher|work=The New York Times|date=8 March 2011|access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://consumer.org.my/chronology-of-events-in-the-bukit-merah-asian-rare-earth-development/|title=Chronology of events in the Bukit Merah Asian Rare Earth development|publisher=Penang Consumer Association|date=11 May 2011|access-date=14 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014043946/https://consumer.org.my/chronology-of-events-in-the-bukit-merah-asian-rare-earth-development/|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Although Perak has the highest number of mangrove reserves of the Malay Peninsula states, with 19 reserves in the mangroves of Matang,<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.um.edu.my/docs/librariesprovider7/working-papers/fea-wp-2003-002.pdf|title=Coastal Resource Development in Malaysia: Is There a Need for Sustainable Mangrove Forest Management?|author1=Jahara Yahaya|author2=Santha Chenayah Ramu|journal=FEA Working Paper No. 2003-2, Department of Development Studies Faculty of Economics & Administration and Department of Applied Economics Faculty of Economics & Administration|via=University of Malaya|year=2003|access-date=14 October 2019|pages=10 (11)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014053256/https://www.um.edu.my/docs/librariesprovider7/working-papers/fea-wp-2003-002.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> growing uncontrolled clearance of mangroves for [[aquaculture]] projects and residential areas is causing significant [[coastal erosion]] in addition to the damage resulting from [[climate change]].<ref name="land-based pollution sources"/>