Clean Up the World Day (Sunday 21 September)
The Malaysian Nature Society, Perak Branch decided to clean up the roads and trails of Kledang Hill as part of the Society's commitment to help clean the environment and to instill civic consciousness amongst the Malaysian public. About 45 members and volunteers turned up armed with used plastic bags, tongs, gloves and signs advising the Kledang Hill hikers to take their rubbish home and stop littering. Sixty school children from SRJK (C) Wan Hwa 1, Menglembu and SRJK (C) Perak, Ipoh and teachers from both schools came to support the MNS's efforts. They also made 10 anti-littering signs. Two anti-litter signs were received from a local firm by Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ng Chang Chai, and 3 from the Dewan Bandaraya Ipoh. Ms. Lee Yuat Wah, the MNS Nature Club co-ordinator, briefed the large gathering near the iron bridge. There were few hill trekkers as there was another event going on in town at the same time - the Ipoh half Marathon. T-shirts sponsored by Proton, BP, MNI and Alam Flora were given by Trees Sdn. Bhd. to the adult participants while two other companies, Million Purpose Properties Sdn. Bhd. of Ipoh and Didier Sdn. Bhd. of Batang Kali, sponsored the children's t-shirts. At about 9.00 am. the volunteers were divided into three separate groups. They trekked up the hill and collected all the unsightly rubbish strewn by uncaring hikers. Just before the group started two elderly hikers were seen proudly showing off their loot on the iron bridge - they had collected orchids (Sphattoglottis plicata) while we were about to collect rubbish. If only the authorities can do something to stop this plunder of the hill's rich natural heritage (most of the rarer orchids are gone). By 12.00 noon the three groups met at the rest stop near the seismological station and returned to the foothill lugging bags of rubbish. At the foothill a DBI lorry came and took away huge piles of rubbish to an official dump-site. Refreshments were served to the volunteers by the MNS co-ordinators. Right on MNS! We showed them how to live in harmony with nature.
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