Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
(I) Physical CharacteristicsThe Ulu Muda forests encompass two Forest Reserves; the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve (105,060 ha) and Pedu Forest Reserve (15,540 ha). Three dams, the Pedu, Muda and Beris Dam and are situated within the forest reserves, forming large freshwater lakes. The Muda Dam supplies water to the Muda Ricefields Irrigation Project, covering about 100,000 ha of fertile coastal plains within Kedah and Perlis State, more than 50 km downstream (MNS, 2002). The terrain around Tasik Muda is generally flat and hilly towards the north, south and east. Several rivers, Sungai Teliang, Sungai Muda, Sungai Lasor, Sungai Baho, Sungai Pior and Sungai Weng drain the area. Gunung Bayu (777 m asl), Bukit Batu (953 m asl) and Gunung Batu Putih (821 m asl) are some of the highest peaks in the forest reserves (Bourke, 2000; DWNP, 1991, 1993).(II) Climatic ConditionsThe area experiences two dry seasons from January to February and June to Julai annually (DWNP, 1993).
Due to its size, the area is important to biome species for Peninsula Malaysia and several globally threatened species especially the Straw-headed Bulbul, currently threatened by the cage bird trade. Surveys have documented 174 bird species in the forest reserve (Department of Wildlife and National Parks 1993; Noramly et al 2001). The area has the potential to be developed as a trans-boundary protected area with neighbouring Thailand. The protection of the area will ensure the survival a unique habitat and flora and fauna. The Ulu Muda forests is nominated under two categories; A1. Globally Threatened Species and A3. Biome-Restricted Assemblages.Good representation of lowland forest specialist, significant number of NT birds, high number of hornbills (7 out of ten) (Noramly and Lim, 2002)NT birds: Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Lesser Fish-eagle (Lim, 2003c), Oriental Darter (1 location in peninsula), Great Hornbill (Lim, 2003c)Only known breeding population of Hooded Pitta (
Pitta sordida muelleri) in the peninsula
Non-bird biodiversity: Surveys by the Bourke (2000), DWNP (1991, 1993), Juliana et al. (2002), Stevens (1968), Norhayati et al. (2002) and Norsham et al. (1999) showed that the area contains populations of large mammals due to the presence of saltlicks in the area.17 species of large mammals were recorded.12 species of small mammals recorded and another eleven species was detected from transects.13 species of amphibians and one reptile.20 species of freshwater fishes from nine families.The Ulu Muda forests may serve as an important link to the between Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand for the free movement of wildlife. (I) Globally threatened mammals (IUCN, 2002): CRITICAL: Sumatran Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis; ENDANGERED: Tiger Panthera tigris, Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Malayan Tapir Tapirus indicus; VULNERABLE: Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii, Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina, Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa, Gaur Bos gaurus, Serow Capricornis sumatraensis, Smooth Otter Lutrogale perspicillata, Common Porcupine Hystrix brachyura, Ridley's Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros ridleyi; NEAR THREATENED: Banded Leaf-Monkey Presbytis melalophos, Long-tailed Macaque M. fascicularis, White-handed Gibbon Hylobates lar, Agile Gibbon H. agilis, Pangolin Manis javanica, Oriental Small-clawed Otter Amblonyx cinereus, Least Forest Bat Kerivoula minuta, Schreibers' Bat Miniopterus schreibersii; DATA DEFICIENT: Malayan Sun Bear Helarctos malayanus(II) Globally threatened reptiles (IUCN, 2002): No information.
The forest reserves comprised mostly of lowland dipterocarp forest, hill dipterocarp forest and to a lesser extent, secondary forest. The vegetation displays distinct ecological zones with shared affinities with southern Thailand especially the northern seasonal forest elements such as Meranti and Gerutu.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The area has not been exposed to gross disturbances, such as logging, due to the reserve's importance as a water catchment. The level of poaching has not been studied, although with a number of active saltlicks and evidence of a number of hunting platforms, this is a concern (WWFM,
pers. comm.). Helicopter logging (Restricted Briefing Paper and Konsumer)Poaching by villagers may pose a major threat to birds in future, a concern based on the absence of the Straw-headed Bulbul (with the exception of one individual) during the survey. This species was reported from earlier surveys along upper Sungai Muda, although only a pair were recorded (Noramly and Lim, 2002). This similar threat is also extended to possibly large mammals, evident through a number of hunting platforms encountered during surveys (MNS, 2002).Proposed helicopter logging of over 122,798 ha within Kedah's forest reserves to be carried out in 2 phases over a period of 10 years. The first phase would cover 72,934 ha of the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve while the second phase of 49,864 ha would be in the forest reserves of Chebar, Padang Terap, Pedu, Bukit Saiong and Bukit Keramat (Tan, 2002).
The area was gazetted in 1932 to protect the Sungai Muda water catchment area for the Muda Ricefields Irrigation Project. The project was designed to channel water to the ricefields that covered 100,000 ha of fertile Kedah and Perlis coastal plains, more than 50km downstream. The Ulu Muda forests were proposed to be gazetted as a National Park under the recommendation of Stevens (1968) in 1989 but was turned down by the Kedah State Government. The area has been identified as having ecotourism potential (MOCAT, 1996). Currently, the forest reserves have been proposed for gazettement as a National Park under the National Park Act 226/1980. Efforts are currently underway by WWFM to assist the Kedah State Government to enhance the protection of the reserve, either through better management or by gazetting a State Park.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ulu Muda (Malaysia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ulu-muda-iba-malaysia on 22/11/2024.
