Written By Dan Gibas

The Forest Watch Project was launched by Transparency International's Forest Governance Integrity (FGI) Programme.

Transparency International's Forest Governance & Integrity Programme (FGI) tackles corruption as a primary driver of illegal logging and poor forest management.

Written by Cass Shan.

It can take up to 1,000 years for plastic bags to biodegrade.

Yet, we continue to give out over a billion plastic bags worldwide every day.

Why then, isn't the recent discussion of possibly banning plastic bags in Malaysia not treated with more gung-ho than Manchester United getting a kick in the goalpost? Perhaps because those familiar with the perils of encouraging the use of plastic bags are shrugging their shoulders and saying, "Well, it's about time," while those who aren't are questioning, "What's the big deal?".

Radday, M, WWF Germany. 2007. 'Borneo Maps'. January 24, 2007, adapted by Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal (2007). "Extent of deforestation in Borneo 1950-2005, and projection towards 2020". Last Stand of the Orangutan, Rapid Response Assessment. UNEP. http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/extent-of-deforestation-in-borneo-1950-2005-and-projection-towards-2020.

Article by Sarah Jane Evans

'Life on earth is not evenly spread around our planet. Borneo...is one of its richest treasure-houses'

Dear members of Eco Warriors Malaysia - got the messages below from Teck Wynn

This page summarises the importance of the site: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Langat-South/128830887171971

Dear Matthias,

The Selangor State Agriculture Corporation (PKPS) made a proposal to acquire the whole of Langat South Forest Reserve (6908 ha) for an oil palm plantation. The Menteri Besar has given Selangor Forestry Department and the Selangor Wildlife Department two weeks to come up with justification for conserving the reserve.

by Dave Bakewell

The hauntingly beautiful notes of a flute rise and lilt through the chambers of a large cave in the soft pre-dawn light, to be answered, magically, by an equally beautiful cadence from an unseen bird somewhere deep in the recesses of the cave.

By Mandy Lee

The Department of Marine Parks Kedah recently issued the order for partial closure of Pulau Payar Marine Parks with effect from 20 June 2010 and for all activities to be suspended at two main areas within the Park. These are the Marine Park Centre House Reef and at Coral Garden, both of which are popular for snorkelling and scuba diving respectively.

This move by the Department of Marine Parks Kedah is an effort to preserve the biodiversity of marine life at the Park as the coral reef in both these areas are under stress due to changes in sea water temperatures and excessive coral bleaching is now at critical levels.

The run up to the Chinese year of the Tiger has been especially turbulent in Malaysia thanks to a series of high profile stories causing widespread outrage.

Allow me to introduce Yok Meneh (pictured seated). Yok - an orang asli or Malay aboriginal got his 5 minutes of fame after he was admitted to hospital for treatment following an apparent Tiger attack in Perak. He even had the nerve to smile as he was photographed, elaborate on his lies and pose with his injuries.

According to the Star newspaper on 7th February 2010:

Orang Asli Yok Meneh has been foraging in the forest for years bringing home petai and other vegetation. Yesterday, the usual uneventful trek became a harrowing one for the Semai when a tiger pounced on him.

By S.M. Lee

In June 2009, while walking to the start of a forest trail, I came across a tiger chained up in a clearing next to the forest fringe. Since then, I have learned that this tiger had been brought into Langkawi for a tiger show at the Oriental Village. The owner of this tiger has all the necessary documents and permits to keep this tiger. In other words, everything is “legal”. This was confirmed by Perhilitan / Wildlife Department who also informed that the tiger is well-cared for by its owner.

Article by Mandy Lee, Wendy Chin

Pulau Payar Marine Park has come a long way since it was first declared as a Fisheries Prohibited Area in 1985 and later gazetted as a marine park in 1994.

Living Dinosaurs

Monitor Lizards or Biawak in Malay, are members of the family Varanidae, a group of carnivorous lizards which includes the heaviest living lizard, the Indonesian Komodo dragon, with the crocodile monitor being the longest in the world and the Malaysian Water Monitor the second largest by weight.