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A TOTAL of 337 complaints related to human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) were reported in Gua Musang, Kelantan, last year, according to Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat today, he said, out of this number, 218 complaints involved elephants, while 47 were related to tigers.
In response to these incidents, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has taken several steps to mitigate the conflicts, particularly those involving elephants and tigers.
Nik Nazmi said these measures include conducting regular patrols and monitoring of wildlife habitats.
Additionally, 15 traps were installed following complaints of human-tiger conflicts.
Ten operations were carried out to capture and relocate elephants, while electric fences were constructed in Kampung Orang Asli Pos Pasik and Kampung Orang Asli Pos Aring 5 to prevent elephants from entering residential areas and farms.
These efforts were highlighted during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, in response to questions raised by Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas).
Ngeh asked about recent incidents in which villagers were killed by elephants and tigers, and where elephants caused significant crop damage, leaving local residents in fear.
In addition to these direct interventions, Nik Nazmi mentioned that the ministry has also encouraged animal breeders to reinforce their livestock enclosures and manage their livestock more systematically. This is aimed at reducing the frequency of wildlife conflicts.
To support affected communities, the government allocated RM978,000 to 246 applicants last year under the Property and Crop Loss Assistance Due to Wildlife Attacks (BKHT) scheme.
Nik Nazmi said solving the problem of wildlife conflicts requires a comprehensive approach.
He identified the disturbance of wildlife habitats—often caused by forest exploration—as one of the root causes of the issue.
To address this, he highlighted the implementation of the Ecological Fiscal Transfer (EFT) for Biodiversity Conservation, a federal initiative introduced in 2019.
The programme aims to encourage state governments to improve the management of natural resources and expand protected areas.
Since its inception, the EFT has allocated a total of RM800 million to state governments, with RM60 million allocated in 2019, RM70 million in 2021 and 2022, RM150 million in 2023, and RM200 million in 2024. A further RM250 million is earmarked for this year.
The EFT has led to the gazetting of nearly 15,000 hectares of new forest reserves and wildlife reserves across Peninsular Malaysia, benefiting states such as Pahang, Perak, Kedah, Selangor, Penang, Perlis, Terengganu, and Negeri Sembilan.
However, Nik Nazmi noted that Kelantan, despite receiving EFT funds, has not yet contributed to the gazetting of new protected areas.
The minister urged the state to take greater steps in this regard, as expanding protected areas could play a critical role in addressing the ongoing wildlife conflict issues. - March 5, 2025