Article: Nesting ground for water birds in danger

Thursday May 28, 2009

MY heart sank when I heard about the deteriorating condition of the fireflies at Kuala Selangor. It is a national and international treasure that gladdens the heart.

I am writing to alert the authorities of yet another environmental disaster.

I recently visited the Kinta Nature Park in Batu Gajah after a lapse of six months, and was surprised to see that the park which used to attract water birds such as herons and egrets to nest has been significantly damaged.

Many trees have died, as have many of the aquatic plants, leaving the whole park exposed and barren. From information available, it appears that the bank of the Sungei Kinta had burst and flowed into the park.

However, this is not the only degradation. I saw more than 10 persons fishing in the park – some were using large cast nets!

In addition, sand mining and farming activities around the park seem to have diminished its size.

Anyone who had visited the park in the past would have been amazed at the beauty and diversity of the birds it once attracted. It was a great place to bring schoolchildren to learn about our natural heritage.

The Malaysian Nature Society had fought quite hard to get the authorities to protect this area so as to allow these large water birds a place to breed. It seems our indifference to environmental issues has again led to the destruction of another natural heritage.

I hope the authorities can act urgently to preserve what is left.

DATUK DR AMAR-SINGH HSS,

Ipoh.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: News: Opinion 28 May 2009