Get to Know Tasik Temenggor in Perak

Tasik Temenggor is a hydroelectric dam in northern Perak. The dam was built in 1970 and fully completed in 1974.

Introduction

Water from this dam is channeled as a drinking water supply for the residents of Perak and Penang. The dam covers 152 square km and contains 6,050 million cubic meters of water, encompassing the 117,500-hectare Belum Forest Reserve.

Tasik Temenggor, A Man-Made Lake

This man-made lake is located 200km from Ipoh. It is situated along the route known as the East-West Highway. If you are coming from Ipoh or Penang, it is mandatory to fill up your vehicle's fuel tank in Gerik beforehand, as there are no petrol stations along the East-West Highway until you reach Jeli.

In the middle, there is an island known as Pulau Banding or Tasik Banding. A military camp was built in this area to safeguard the security of the Temenggor Dam.

Management Plan

The Perak Fisheries Department has been tasked with implementing the Tasik Temenggor Management Plan. Tasik Temenggor is divided into a Conservation Zone, Recreational Fishing Zone, and Commercial Zone.

The Conservation Zone covers the northern part of Tasik Temenggor, namely Sungai Kejar, Sungai Tiang, and Sungai Gadong. Tasik Temenggor also has designated locations for freshwater fish farming, as river fish are exposed to extinction due to toxic waste disposal, smuggling, the use of chemicals and fish bombs, electric shocks, and fish poisoning (tuba).

Freshwater Fish

Since 1997, the Perak Fisheries Department has produced broodstock and freshwater fish fry through the Inland Fisheries Center (PPD) in Banding. PPD Banding became fully operational on November 1, 2006, as a development center providing technical advisory services, information resources, and reference materials. High-value fish such as Kelah, Temoleh, Baung, Kelabau, Tengas, Loma, Tengalan, Sebarau, and Lampam sungai can be processed into 'pekasam' (fermented fish). Giant freshwater prawns are abundant in Sungai Perak, Sungai Kinta, and Sungai Kampung Dew in Kamunting, Taiping.

The Malaysia-Norway joint venture company, Trapia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, operates commercial tilapia farming at Tasik Banding. Tasik Temenggor is capable of producing 40,000 metric tons of fish per year from cage farming activities.