By Jeff Yong
JERANTUT: Tekoma Resort, the only eco-tourism resort inside Taman Negara near here, plans to raise greater awareness on the importance of conserving Malaysia’s national icon, the Malayan Tiger, besides promoting the national park’s eco-tourism attractions by organising the Taman Negara Tekoma Marathon on Dec 31.
The event will comprise a 42km marathon and a 21km half-marathon, which will take participants through Taman Negara’s lush rainforests that are said to be more than 130 million years old to promote the splendour of the country’s rich forest biodiversity, said organising chairman Louis Oui.
“There is so much that our rainforests can offer to promote Malaysia to the world,” said Oui, who is also the CEO of Tekoma Resort here.
Located at Kuala Tahan, the resort overlooks Sungai Tembeling and Sungai Tahan.
He said the event was part of his resort’s contributions towards raising funds and awareness on the conservation of the critically endangered Malayan Tiger, which have dwindled to around 150 from 3,000 in the last 100 years.
Speaking to Weekly Echo, Oui said proceeds from the entry fees would be used to help save Malayan tigers through various initiatives undertaken by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN).
These include enriching tiger habitats with greater food sources, tiger breeding, increasing patrols and enforcement against poachers, rehabilitating and releasing tigers into the wild, and promoting the adoption of tigers at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
The Malayan Tiger plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance in the forest ecosystem in terms of balancing the food chain.
Oui said the event had received the support of PERHILITAN, Tourism Malaysia and Office of the Commissioner of Sports.
He said besides contributing towards a good cause, participants could also usher in the new year at a gala dinner on new year’s eve at the resort.
Participation is via online registration with the technical support team’s website at www.pacerssport.com. The closing date is Dec 25.
–WE