Old Perak: Taiping’s environmental history

A former Taiping resident has contributed these nuggets about the environmental history of the historical town.
Did you know that over a hundred years ago:

• abandoned mining pools were turned into Malaysia’s most famous botanic gardens with iconic rain trees.
• there was a law protecting the mangrove forests allowing for only sustainable harvesting of bakau wood for building and charcoal.
• the hill range was proudly protected with the forest reserves extending to the fringes of the town.

That was Taiping, the town that means ‘everlasting peace’ … the Matang coastal area and Maxwell, now Larut, hills). In fact, the Malayan Nature Society(MNS) was born in Taiping.
The former resident said he grew up there and spent a 16 wonderful years growing up in an multicultural environment. There was also a big commonwealth military base with Fijians and “Rhodesian” and even the only Parsi cemetery in the country.
Share your recollections of Taiping history especially its natural environment and charming town, in the comments section below.  Send old photos using the ‘submit photos’ link at the top of the page. - Anil Netto