Activities that could affect Tasik Chini have been stopped, says Takiyuddin

Activities that could affect Tasik Chini, Pahang, including new approvals for sand and mineral mining have been stopped, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said today.

He said the strict directive was issued to ensure that Tasik Chini could be conserved and restored to maintain its status as a biosphere reserve.

"Both the federal and state governments have taken measures to protect Tasik Chini," he told reporters after the launch of an event in Kota Bharu.

According to Unesco's first periodical review of the lake, recently released, Tasik Chini no longer meets the criteria to be part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Unesco has given the Malaysian authorities until Sept 30 to inform the world body on how it plans to nurse Tasik Chini and its surrounding wetlands back to health.