Ulu Muda

Tops for ecotourism development

Ulu Muda is the largest remaining tract of forests in the State of Kedah. The forests cover an area of about 120,000 hectares and form the water catchment area for the Muda, Pedu and Ahning dams that supply water to Kedah, Penang and Perlis.

Ulu Muda is an important habitat for wildlife, especially large mammals such as the Asian elephant (Elephas maximas), Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), seladang (Bos gaurus) and the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). Six species of primates including two species of gibbons can be found here. There’s also a large variety of birds with recent surveys recording more than 201 species, most of which are forest birds.

The area is one of only two places in Malaysia (the other one being the forests of Belum-Temengor) where large flocks of the Plain-pouched hornbill (Aceros subruficollis) have been sighted. The area is dotted with salt licks, such as Sira Air Hangat and Sira Kawi, which provide visitors with good opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Ulu Muda’s rich biodiversity and unique features make it a prime site for nature tourism. It’s recognised as one of the top 10 sites for ecotourism development in the National Ecotourism Plan.

Since the late 1990s, WWF-Malaysia has been helping the State Government of Kedah to develop nature tourism in Ulu Muda as an alternative to logging and other more exploitative uses of forests. We conducted a study on the nature tourism development of Ulu Muda and presented the findings to the State government in 2002. The Kedah State government demonstrated their commitment to protect Ulu Muda when they decided to turn down plans to log the forests in 2003. Since then, there has been a proposal to establish a State Park at Ulu Muda.