Hi Everybody,
The state of our Malaysian natural heritage has taken a serious battering
with the reports of the deaths of several dugongs (especially Si Tenang
which tugged at our heart strings) and the slow death of Tasik Chini
with the interference of man with the simple thought that it would encourage
tourism. Selangor’s thirst for more water resulted in the state government’s
proposal to make a dam to satisfy the ever growing demand for water in
the years ahead. MNS Secretariat has responded to the EIA (a copy was inserted
in the Naturalist and sent to all members). Similarly the Perak Government
has also proposed a dam in Ulu Kinta for the Kinta Valley and an EIA will
be carried out soon. Hence we have to be more vigilant if we are to continue
to enjoy our natural heritage.
This brings to focus the need for a
permanent place to be used as a Nature Education Research and Monitoring
Centre (NERMC) which I feel seriously needs to be established if we are
to continue in our mission to appreciate and conserve our natural heritage.
It is my contention that appreciation begins with education. We have to
reach out to schools and the general public and give talks and seminars
to teach them how to appreciate our natural heritage. Many of our loyal
core members are willing to help but a more effective approach must be
adopted and made available to them as volunteerism has its limits. Some
have creative ideas but lack the facilities to give form and substance
to their thoughts. We need a place and facilities to plan slide shows,
monitor the various activities of the public and government that will have
an impact on our natural environment, carry out field studies and library
research, write up project papers and reports, give training and talks
frequently and to store (and later present) our vast store of knowledge
accumulated over the past 29 years.
We need at least a temporary home until
our objective of acquiring a building is eventually achieved. Acquiring
our own building will take some time as the present Malaysian economic
climateis still not conducive to carry out any ambitious fund-raising scheme
but nevertheless we shall persevere in our endeavour. Menno Riegstra keeps
on reminding me not to give up despite what others may say or do. Meanwhile
our financial position is not strong enough to allow us to rent a premise
to be used as an NERMC.
However, there is some light at the
end of this long tunnel we have been groping along. A personal friend and
a member of the MNS (Selangor Branch), Mdm. Teh Siew Keng has generously
offered to me the first floor of her shop house in Taman Endah Jaya (near
the Kek Lok Tong cave temple complex) to be used as the Perak Branch NERMC
cum office until we get our own building. I cannot thank her enough for
her kind gesture except to wish her all the best in life.
Should everything fall into place as
we have hoped and if our plan and proposal for the premise is acceptable
to her the branch will see a new milestone in its achievements. I hope
members will volunteer their time and energy to make it a place branch
members and the owner will feel proud to be associated with. Hopefully
membership will increase with the use of the premise as an NERMC albeit
temporarily. As it is near the limestone hills and caves that Ipoh is famous
for, I hope members will come and make use of the facilities available
and help the branch achieve a higher level of performance for the MNS and
our country’s natural heritage. Truly then this would be a fitting start
for the MNS in the new millennium. Now I see a brighter light at the end
of the tunnel.
Cheaw Hon Ming
22 April 1999