Gunung Raya Forest Reserve is home to a diverse ecosystem, with wildlife such as great hornbills, black giant squirrels and island flying foxes, just to name a few. The mountain is 220 million years old and composed mainly of granite, and is a part of Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, chosen because of its geological importance to the region. Recently though, locals have discovered impending logging and sand mining projects at this forest reserve, which could destroy one of Malaysia’s few protected sanctuaries for nature. We find out what's happening over in Langkawi, Kedah from Irshad Mobarak, a naturalist, conservationist, educator, and long-time resident of the island. Irshad also gives us an insider’s look at Langkawi's landscape, seascape, and rich geological history, and why the biodiversity in this area must be preserved and protected at all costs. 

Image credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs

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Categories:  environment,  education

Tags:  colugo,  Irshad Mobarak,  Junglewalla,  Gunung Raya Forest Reserve,  the bigger picture,  earth matters,  langkawi,  ecotourism,  forest degazettement,  habitat loss,  wildlife,  conservation,  species extinction,  logging,  sand mining,