The Greater Ulu Muda Forest Complex (Ulu Muda) in Kedah encompasses 163,103 hectares of rainforests. Ulu Muda is the most important water catchment area in North Malaysia.
About 70% of Perlis’ raw water and 96% of Kedah’s raw water originate from Ulu Muda. Meanwhile, in Penang, Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) abstracts more than 80% of the raw water that Penang needs daily from Sungai Muda; and the water catchment area for Sungai Muda is Ulu Muda
More than 4.2 million people in Perlis, Kedah and Penang are highly dependent on raw water from Ulu Muda.. The raw water from Ulu Muda helps to drive the economies of Perlis, Kedah and Penang.
The estimated combined GDP contribution of the 3 states amounted to RM150.5 billion (at current prices) in 2018*. At this point in time, there is no other water catchment area that can replace Ulu Muda for all 3 states. Ulu Muda is an irreplaceable and indispensable socioeconomic resource.
*Department of Statistics, Malaysia (www.dosm.gov.my)
Ulu Muda should be protected, by law, for perpetuity,
as a “Northern Region Water Catchment Area”.
Ulu Muda is also home to thousands of species of indigenous flora and fauna. Furthermore, Ulu Muda is a natural carbon sink that helps to regulate the microclimate in North Malaysia.
Ulu Muda should be protected, by law, for perpetuity, as a “Northern Region Water Catchment Area”. It should be monitored and managed as a water catchment area, and not only as a forest area.
