MALAYSIAN ECO-WARRIOR — A FIVE-STAR LEGACY IN CONSERVATION

International Media Archive | London Evening Standard (1999)

In February 1999, travel writer Paul Mansfield of the London Evening Standard awarded five stars to a man he described as a "one-man band in the cause of conservation"—Irshad Mobarak - Naturalist. At a time when mass tourism was beginning to descend upon Langkawi, Irshad was already at the forefront of protecting the island’s delicate ecological balance.

A Strategy of Respect and Persuasion:
The feature highlighted Irshad’s unique approach to "damage limitation." Rather than alienating developers, he utilized traditional Malaysian values of respect and persuasion to advocate for the protection of the island’s interior. His goal was clear: to ensure that while coastal development continued, the heart of the rainforest remained untouched. His popularity was evident even then; during Mansfield's visit to the prestigious Datai resort, over a dozen guests rose before dawn to join Irshad’s deep-forest expeditions.

Pioneering Sustainable Tourism:
Mansfield noted several of Irshad’s forward-thinking initiatives, including tree and mangrove planting schemes and early plans for electric-powered tour boats. Perhaps most significantly, the article documented Irshad’s influence on a national level, noting that his advocacy aligned with the government's eventual call to moderate development on the island to ensure environmental longevity.

Today, the "noble" mission that Mansfield observed in the late 90s has become the gold standard for JungleWalla. We remain dedicated to the same principles of conservation, education, and respectful co-existence that earned Irshad international acclaim decades ago.

EXPERIENCE THE LEGACY