1. International Conference on Sustainability Initiatives (ICSI) 2015 in conjunction with 8th ASEAN Environmental
Engineering Conference (AEEC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 24-25 August 2015
–1 –
TRANSROYAL: MULTI-INTER-TRANS-DISCIPLINARY GEO-BIOSPHERE
RESEARCH INITIATIVES IN THE ROYAL BELUM AND TEMENGOR
FOREST COMPLEX (RBTFC) GERIK PERAK
Khamarrul Azahari Razak*, Rozaimi Che Hasan, Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin, Habibah @
Norehan Haron, Shamsul Sarip, Rudzidatul Akmam Dziyauddin, Sharihan Fathi
UTM Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Kuala Lumpur Campus, Malaysia
Corresponding author*: khamarrul.kl@utm.my
SUMMARY: Integrated research on biosphere as a result of human and natural activities in the tropics is very challenging.
This paper presents multi-inter-trans-disciplinary (MIT) research initiatives carried out by TRANSROYAL focusing on the
terrestrial- and aquatic ecosystem including human livelihoods in the Royal Belum-Temengor Forest Complex, Perak.
Despite its status as a mega-biodiversity area, only few attempts have been made to conduct a centralized and integrated
research to support the resource management, sustainable developments and climate change. This study provides a better
insight into MIT approaches for a better understanding of the ecological system and improving human interaction in a
changing environment.
Keywords—Royal Belum,Transroyal,Multi-inter-trans-disciplinary, Geo-Security, Geo-Biodiversity and Ecosystem, Geo-
Sustainability, Rural Technology,
INTRODUCTION
The Royal Belum-Temenggor Forest Reserve Complex
(RBTFC) covers 320,000 ha made the largest remaining
contiguous forest landscape in Peninsular Malaysia. The
area is known as one of the rich-megabiodiversity areas in
Malaysia. It is one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the
world and is remained as one of the largest untouched
forest reserves with amazing flora and fauna in Malaysia.
Based on the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
management categories for protected areas, the Royal
Belum State Park has a great potential to be listed as the
World Heritage Site. Given Malaysia as one signatory of
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), there is
pressure on us to increase the number of protected areas,
which IUCN target, at least 10% of their total area as
protected areas. RBTFC is one of the promising areas
contributing towards achieving the target of 10%.
Despite being the largest continuous forest complex in
Peninsular Malaysia, only few attempts have been made to
conduct a centralized high impact research,particularly in
applying modern geospatial technology that is coupled with
engineering, social sciences, earth sciences, and applied
sciences in addressing the real problems related to
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem in support of the resource
management, sustainable development and climate change
studies. The lack of research of this nature contradicts with
the continuous efforts from the government to
internationalize local researches in dealing with the national
mega-biodiversity and ecosystem.
Traditional discipline-based research is often inadequate
theoretically, conceptually, or methodologically in solving
complex problems. All interdependencies of complex
problems creating more stimulus for a new research
approach [1]. Multi-disciplinary refers to the additive of
two disciplines, each making their own contributions
individually. Interdisciplinary research promotes
cooperative workwhere methods, concepts, and research
teams are collaboratively developed among two or more
disciplines aiming at a holistic
synthesis[2].Transdisciplinary research reflects the
collaborative process involving active and direct
engagement of stakeholders with multiple disciplines in
order to solve the problems[3]-[4]. Transdisciplinary
research dealt with new theoretical, conceptual, and/or
methodological advancements that surpass discipline-
specific contributions in addressing a solution for a
common problem[5].Transdisciplinary research focuses on
societal relevant problems, enables mutual learning from
various disciplines and actors; and tries to create solution-
oriented knowledge that is equally socially responsive [6].
This research promotes multi-inter-trans-disciplinary (MIT)
research initiatives for understanding terrestrial- and
aquatic ecosystem including human livelihoods in RBTFC.
It is also aiming at providing baseline, technical and
scientific data for supporting a comprehensive management
plan especially for ecologically-sensitive area in RBTFC.

2. –2 –
2. ROYAL BELUM-TEMENGOR AREA
Belum-Temengor area is located at north part of Perak with
the size of 320,000 ha that includes lowland and hill
dipterocarp and montane forest [7]. It consists of the Royal
Belum State Park (17,500 ha), Temengor, Banding &Gerik
Forest Reserves, Stateland Forests, Temengor Lake and the
newly gazette (2013) Aman Jaya Forest Reserve [8].
Malaysia’s Royal Belum-Temengor Forest Complex and
Ulu Muda Forest Reserve are sharing the common border
within Thailand’s National Park, reservoir, waterfall and
forest park [9]. Some areas have been managed by a state-
owned company and selectively logged since 2001, using
the Sustainable Forest Management with a moderate
intensity of timber harvesting (39-55 m3
ha-1
; [10]). A list
of studies on biodiversity and ecotourism of the Belum
Temengor Forest, since early 1990s, is reported in [11].
3. PROBLEM, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
RBTFC is one important national mega-biodiversity area,
yet intruders are a big threat to combat. The area is
bordered with international and state borders, and it is
easily accessible from the East-West Highway This has
made enforcement of very challenging and even more
difficult with the involvement of poachers and gaharu
collecters given the limited time for action and evidence on-
site[12][13].The highway provides a way for the logging
expansion and the poaching threatens endangered species
[14].Malaysia is one of the world’s largest exporters of
tropical logs (International Tropical Timber Organization,
2012) and its commercial values pose great challenges. A
high concentration of tree species, Dipterocarpaceae in the
area [15] may attract international poachers.
Regarding the aquatic issue, Tilapia Oreochromisniloticus
found in the Royal Belum territory creates uncertainty and
problems to the valuable indigenous species particularly
cichlids; affecting the benthic communities [16]. An
extensive study shall be carried out to reduce its impact and
prevent this problem from occurring in the future. To date,
paucity of information hampered the process of protecting
aquatic species, environment and communities [17]. A
baseline data to support the assessment of fish habitats and
other aquatic plants is elusive. Also, quantifying of
sediment types and lakebed characteristics is needed. Such
aforementioned issues and valuable data could be used to
support a habitat management plan to the relevant
government agencies. It is required to prevent, minimize
and mitigate the degradation of aquatic habitats from any
lakebed alterations.
Renewable energy resources for rural communities is a
crucial issue. Settlements of indigenous people are
equipped with basic amenities, e.g. energy source of
electricity produced using solar panels and generator sets.
However, poor maintenance, which led to the least-
functionality and lack of knowledge on solar system
repairing, which are amongst the local issues identified
[18][19][20].
4. INTEGRATED RESEARCH ACTIVITY
The establishment of UTM TRANSROYAL has an
objective to promote trans-, multi-, and interdisciplinary
research in RBTFC region aiming at high impact
contributions. We focus on four (4) research clusters,
named as Geo-Security, Geo-Biodiversity and Ecosystem,
Geo-Sustainability, and Rural Technology.
Geo-Security cluster deals with the use of state-of-the-art
and advancement of multistage processing sequence based
on satellite-, airborne-, and ground-based remote sensing
technology coupled with satellite positioning system,
advanced GIS, and expert knowledge to support the border
security, enforcement, and land-use monitoring[13][16].
This cluster provides a better platform and solution in
developing sophisticated geo-mapping tool, securing and
monitoring our national mega-biodiversity.
In the Geo-Biodiversity and Ecosystem, we investigate the
lakebed properties, water quality, and aquatic habitats,
amongst the research activities. This cluster explores
aquatic fauna, fish parasites, fish diversity, stratification
composition of fresh water mussles, and macro
invertebrates diversity[21][22][23].We emphasize the work
on mapping forest inventory, estimating biomass and
carbon using multi-sensory remote sensing and in-situ
measurement [24][25][26] and also the space weathering
system, observation and analysis[27].
Geo-Sustainability cluster focuses on community
development, resilience studies and sustainable education.
This cluster also addresses the potential and challenges of
developing sustainable eco-culture tourism program for the
indigenous community in RBTFC. Several publications
have been published by Kamarudin et al.[28][29][30][31].
In the Rural Technology cluster, we also emphasize on the
investigation of the current ICT facilities and technology by
local communities. It also include the assessment of water
infrastructure and services provided to Orang Asli in the
area [19][20][32].We also evaluate the availability of
implementing advanced solar technology and infrastructure.
Current study investigates the feasibility and capability of
using micro hydropower system in RBTFC. We focus on
the design and features of the hydropower and an
observation tower. Aspects such as site selection, tower
design, shipping and transportation of the construction
equipment and materials and the construction process are
currently subjected to research [18].
4. CONCLUSION
This paper highlights an integrated research for mapping,
monitoring and understanding biosphere and human
activity in RBTFC. Significant progress has been made on
promoting multi-inter-trans-disciplinary (MIT) research.
We aim at advancing our single-disciplinary to MIT
research with new knowledge, interaction and integration of
various disciplines with new tools and techniques.

3. –3 –
TRANSROYAL has taken a great step to expand its
capacity and capability in promoting an integrated research
at local, national, regional, up to global scales.
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