History of the Cameron Highlands

Taking its name from surveyor William Cameron who mapped the area in 1885 The Cameron Highlands quickly became developed by Chinese vegetable farmers, tea planters and rich colonialists attracted by its cool, high altitude weather.

The temperature never drops below 10˚c or rises above 21˚c perfect for tea  making the area became the centre for Malaysia’s vast tea industry. Vegetable cultivation also flourished here as well as flowers which grow in commercial abundance to the present day.

In recent times property development has grown at an unprecedented and rapid rate. Modern high rise have done much to destroy the once peaceful English colonial atmosphere.

The environment has also suffered greatly from unchecked and  often illegal land clearance.

Vast hillsides have been flattened and streams filled in to increase farmland causing flooding and landslides.  Erosion had caused Ringlet Lake to silt up almost completely by 2005, when lengthy dredging operation began, and flooding problems will no doubt continue. The Malayan Government has introduced tougher laws against water pollution another ecological nightmare. After many years of construction a better road running from Ipoh to Brinchang and Tanah Rata is now open, making trips to and from the Highlands easier and faster. This new and better access will no doubt bring even greater population and prosperity to the area let’s hope with a more respect for the nature which originally started it.