China’s Love for World’s Smelliest Fruit is Threatening Malaysian Forests
Durian also hailed as the ‘king of fruits’ is grown across tropical Southeast Asia. But critics view durians as the stink of sewage.
The increasing demand for the durians in China is said to be the main reason for a new wave of deforestation in Malaysia. The environmentalists are warning as a large part of the rainforest in Malaysia are being cleared to make way for the large-scale plantation of the pungent and spiky fruit, also known as the world’s smelliest fruit.
Durian also hailed as the ‘king of fruits’ is grown across tropical Southeast Asia. But critics view durians as the stink of sewage. The strong smell of the fruit has compelled many hotels in the region to ban guests from bringing them to the rooms and Singapore does not allow the fruit in its subway system.
But the fruit is a hit in China and the increasing demand has prompted exporters to opt for a bigger share in its growing market. Growers in Malaysia are therefore shifting from small orchards to industrial-scale operations, the trend which environmentalists warn as a new threat to rainforests.
Sophine Tann, an environmentalist associated with environment protection group PEKA, which also has studied the land clearances to make way for the cultivation of the fruit says, “Right now durians are gaining a lot of attention from the Chinese market. This deforestation for planting of durians is in preparation to meet that demand”.
The rainforest in the district of Raub in Central Malaysia is recently been chopped down to make way for the new plantation. The new durian seedlings are protected by netted plantation, as the plantation is next to an area of protected forest and which is home to a number of colorful animals from monkeys to exotic birds.
On the other hand, a mall in Beijing, which is some 4,000 kilometers away, has a stall named “Little Fruit Captain”, which is doing a speedy business by selling Malaysian durians. The Manager of the shop, Wang Tao says his customers fall in love with durians from Malaysia because of its particular sweet taste. Wang says, “Our customers aren’t concerned about the prices, they just want the best”.
The most popular variety of the fruit is Musang King, which is known for its thick, golden flesh. It is also one of the most expensive varieties, a single Musang King is selling at the Beijing stall for 800 Yuan ($120), which is several times more costly than in Malaysia.
Though the government has taken up the cause seriously as the Agriculture Minister of Malaysia, Salahuddin Ayub has said in a statement, “Deforestation for new areas is not encouraged”, but environmentalists warn the overall picture is bleak.
