Activities Report Jul 2000 Newsletter
Survival Game in Pulau Tiga National Park
In response to the Sunday Mail (26,
December 1999) article on the survival game which will be held in the Pulau
Tiga National Park during the New Year, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
is concerned about some of the 'activities' related to this event.
Pulau Tiga is made up of Pulau
Tiga, Pulau Kalampunian Besar and Pulau Kalampunian Damit with a total
land area of 607 ha. The National Park was established in 1978 and regazetted
in 1984. It is uninhabited, primarily because there is no permanent water
supply. These islands were formed by the action of active mud volcanoes;
the most recent eruption occurring on Pulau Tiga in 1941. The forests are
undisturbed by human and the surrounding waters are rich in magnificent
corals.
The bird species here
are of exceptional interest. The most famous avian residents are the mound-building
incubator birds or megapodes (Megapodius freycinet), relatives of jungle
fowls. They lay their eggs half a meter deep in piles of sand and leafy
debris. The chicks hatch unattended and dig their way out to start life
independent of their parents. Other birds include the nightjars, pied hornbills,
bulbuls, sunbirds, broad billed rollers, and blue winged pitta. Other animal
life include the flying fox, long tailed macaques, and the occasional wild
boar and deer that swim to the island. Pulau Kalampunian Damit (Snake Island)
is the breeding ground for the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina.
Putat laut, penanga laut and ketapang trees dominate the main island, Pulau
Tiga.
MNS is concerned whether the participants
will be adequately monitored by the game wardens or event organisers to
avoid damaging the ecosystem. The State Park is created to protect the
natural environment which includes the plants and animals and the non-living
elements. It is clearly stated in the rules and regulations, (under the
Parks Enactment 1984) FORBIDDEN (a) to hunt or carry firearms, poison,
speargun, dangerous weapons within the Park;(b) to harm or disturb any
plants, animal or other living things; (c) to pick, cut or collect plants,
insects, coral, shells and any other materials, dead or alive; (d) and
to bring pets into the Park. Collecting of any plants, animal or other
non-living things is strictly forbidden without prior written permission
from the Director and fishing is permitted with hook and line only. MNS
urges that these rules be followed and not compromised in any way.
We have earlier seen a case where, because
of publicity, one of the island in the Marine Parks of Thailand was
partly transformed to suit the taste of the film makers in, 'The Beach'.
Do we need to disturb something that we have committed to protect? The
producers of the adventure game did not give assurance on how it will not
damage the environment. MNS hopes that the National Park officers can assure
the public that the area will be protected during the games.
MNS also feels that such games
that may potentially impact the environment should in the future not be
held in Protected Areas such as the National Parks or Marine Parks. There
are many other areas which can be used.
Kuala Lumpur, 27 December 1999
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Created on 5th Jul 2000