Extreme weathers due to climate change has caused concerns around the world, and even one of the coolest places in Malaysia is now feeling the heat.

Rising 1,500 meters above sea-level on a mountain range of Peninsula Malaysia is Fraser's Hill, named after a solitary Scottish pioneer, James Fraser, who set up a tin-ore trading post in the 1890s.

James Fraser's disappeared mysteriously from the hill located in the central state of Pahang one day.

The then British High Commission launched a mission to search for Fraser, but they found the highland instead and made it a vacation home for high ranking government officers.

Fraser's Hill was discovered more than 100 years ago for its cool breeze, and became a favorite get away from the typical hot Malaysian climate.

However, it is fast losing its captivation now. Locals here said they are very concerned about the rising temperature -- from 10 degrees celsius 10 years ago, to more than 22 degrees celsius today.

Tan Hee Chee, 68, was a second generation caretaker for a state- owned exclusive holiday resort. To him, Fraser's Hill today is nothing compared to that of the past.

"When I was young, I used to go into the trails with my brother from morning until about 6pm or 7pm. Then we would be lost on our way out. The weather was so cold to the extent that we had to wear thick sweaters.

"Our hands were numb, our lips turned black and our teeth would chatter," Tan told Xinhua when reminiscing his childhood memories.

The temperature rise is just the overture of a series of destruction. Landslides are occurring more frequently that could be due to unusually high rainfall. Animals and plants are fast disappearing here.

The hill was rich in its biodiversity -- a botanical paradise with thousands of species of seed plants. But 37 of the plants are now endangered and 66 are rare, 125 vulnerable, a researcher said.

There were more than 260 species of birds, representing 41 percent of the peninsula's total.

Now among these species of flora and fauna, 13 of them have become extinct due to climate change and poaching activities.

The state government has been striving to protect the highland enlisting it as a permanent forest reserve and wildlife reserve. Even so, it seems helpless in getting support from some people.

Fraser's Hill is the host to large and tropical spiders called Tarantulas, and another rare species called Trap Door Spiders.

Hunters for these spiders are becoming more aggressive and discreet in their practices. For them, it is a lucrative business, as they can sell the spiders they capture for US$100 each.

The number of these spiders, according to estimates, have dropped by more than 90 percent from a decade ago.

Trail maintenance superintendents like Mat Yasin often find traps and snares in the forests here.

"I used to enter the forests as part of my duty with the government. I would come across some traps, one or two (daily). I had always destroyed them. I found nets, sometimes.

"Maybe some people were trying to capture the birds or other animals," said Mat Yasin, adding that there was not much he could do to protect the hill.

Like the rest who have lived here long enough, the 73-year-old retiree hopes something could be done to restore the former glory of the rich natural heritage.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2010)