MNS Perak Newsletter January 2000

From the Chairman's Desk

Hi Everybody,

It is that time of year again where one has to take stock and ponder over certain issues and changes in the MNS scene and to realise the opportunities and threats that present us with the turn of events. In the last few weeks a number of important events that took place has placed the MNS on a new footing and we will certainly see it making new inroads to carve a stronger role in the nature conservation and appreciation game. A new strategic plan for the new millennium has been deliberated and put up for endorsement by Council. Together with the Secretariat we will need a strong commitment and leadership to achieve our stated mission.
      The just concluded general elections has shown that changes are inevitable and what was previously thought impossible is now within a hair breadth of achievement. Strong demands may be made to further open up our forests and change forever the natural landscape which we hope to conserve for our children and generations to come. Perak has a new Mentri Besar who is well-known as an approachable person. I hope he can be approached to have a dialogue on the state of nature conservation (and development) in Perak soon. The last MB promised to gazzette Belum forest into a state park and that the new MB shares his view. It has also been reported that the state government has offered to DANCED for funding projects in the Belum area, the Matang forests and Malim Nawar. However DANCED’s policy is to fund only two projects maximum in any one state. Regardless of whatever the outcome, it is my fervent hope that the contracts would be offered to the MNS as in the case of Endau-Rompin.
      A piece of good news. IUCN has allocated US$10,000 to the MNS to fund research on the conservation of Rafflesia in Gopeng, Perak. The Secretariat has written to IUCN to widen the scope of the funding. This is certainly a good sign for MNS Perak as such research will not only benefit the branch with the experience and knowledge gained but will also allow financial benefits to trickle into the branch if we play our game right.
     On December 4, I went with a few members to recce a part of the Bernam River near Hutan Melintang to see the fireflies reported by a fish farmer to be as great as the Kg. Kuantan fireflies colony. What we saw was not as spectacular as in Kg. Kuantan because most of the berembang trees had been cut and the strong lights disturbed the fireflies congregating. Nevertheless I feel it has great eco-tourism potential and based on reports by Teluk Intan members the Perak Government will be requested to help fund research. In view of the serious damage the proposed dam on the Selangor River might cause to the fireflies colony in Kg. Kuantan, the Perak fireflies certainly merit serious conservation efforts although their flashing may not be synchronous.
      In the last two weeks 2 pieces of news saddened me. The first was that the new MB might consider widening the road up Bukit Larut to allow cars to go up. I feel he has not been properly advised as the fragile and unique bio-system certainly cannot allow for such a project. The second concerns the passing away of a great friend and former MNS committee member, Ang Chin Heng.
      Last night we entered the year 2000 without the expected disastrous glitches. This shows that good planning and thorough trouble-shooting is important to avoid disastrous results. The 24 members who climbed up Kledang Hill were rewarded with a beautiful view of Ipoh after a slight drizzle gave us a scare that the worst may come. The MNS officially believes the new Millennium begins on 1 January 2001 so we can expect another round of celebration next year.
 

Cheaw Hon Ming
1 January 2000


Index to reports and articles

  1. Miscellaneous Announcements
  2. Six-mile Tunnel Adventure
  3. Gunung Yong Belar (6 - 8 Nov. 1999)
  4. Jungle Trekking to Taman Rishah Waterfall (Sunday, 7 November 1999)
  5. Members’ Night (Saturday 13 November 1999) Slide Show/Talk on the Silk Road
  6. Boating Trip to Pulau Sembilan (14 November 1999) & Birding in Kuala Gula (20-21 November)

  7. (Both cancelled due to lack of participants and to unforeseen circumstances.)
  8. Members’ Night (Saturday 11 December 1999) - Organic Farming: Slide Show/Talk
  9. Camping on Pulau Sembilan/Pulau Jarak (17-19 December)
  10. Yong Belar (6 - 8 November 1999)
  11. The Proposed Coastal Land Reclamation on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
  12. Bukit Gasing - an important Green Lung for the city
  13. Belum Forest Reserve-the State Park
  14. Survival Game in Pulau Tiga National Park
  15. Estate Resorts To Cruel Traps For Wild Animals
  16. Firefly survey'99

[ Back to MNS Perak Home ]
Created on 15th Jan 2000