PENCINTA ALAM - Malaysian Nature Society
PENCINTA ALAM - Malaysian Nature Society
PENCINTA ALAM - Malaysian Nature Society
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<strong>PENCINTA</strong> <strong>ALAM</strong><br />
NEWSLETTER OF THE MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY<br />
August 2009<br />
www.mns.org.my<br />
Off to Miri for<br />
National AGM<br />
MNS National Annual General Meeting<br />
(AGM) will be held in Miri this year. This is quite a<br />
historical moment for Miri Branch as this is the first<br />
time Miri Branch is hosting the MNS National AGM<br />
since the branch was set up in 1996.<br />
Sarawak has undergone rapid development<br />
over the last few years and many profound changes<br />
have taken place just the past 10 years alone. Opening<br />
of land for massive oil palm plantation and agriculture<br />
has changed the landscape quite a fair bit.<br />
The recently launched SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of<br />
Renewable Energy), Sarawak's new industrial corridor<br />
spanning more than 70,000 sq km encompassing<br />
Bintulu, Kapit, Sibu, Mukah divisions with Kuala<br />
Nyalau bordering it to the North and Tanjung Manis,<br />
the Sarawak’s landscape is poised for more changes.<br />
Similar to Iskandar, ECER other corridors in the<br />
other states, attention to the environment seems<br />
scant.<br />
Some of the upcoming developments that<br />
promises to bring more economic growth and prosperity<br />
to Sarawak includes the following:<br />
a) coal power plants<br />
b) hydro-electric dams<br />
c) more oil palm plantations<br />
Photo credit: © The Sunday Times<br />
d) several access roads<br />
to interior hubs from<br />
Miri<br />
e) industries within the<br />
SCORE development<br />
corridor.<br />
Both Kuching<br />
and Miri members are<br />
concerned as to how<br />
these developments will<br />
impact Sarawak’s natural<br />
heritage and traditional<br />
way of lives of<br />
some of it’s population.<br />
Sticky land issues, pollution of rivers and seas, displaced<br />
natives and degraded forests are some of the<br />
potential impacts common with any development<br />
anywhere.<br />
Miri committee members are taking this opportunity<br />
to showcase the wonders of Miri by introducing<br />
Lambir Hill National Park, Niah National<br />
Park, Similajau National Park and Loagan Bunut National<br />
Park. And they will take this opportunity to<br />
brief members the challenges ahead.<br />
During this AGM, you will have the opportunity<br />
to interact with Council members and listen to<br />
their achievements as well as challenges ahead.<br />
Some of the Council members present include Tan<br />
Sri Dr Salleh (President of MNS), Dato Hashim<br />
Wahab (Vice President 1), Jeffrey Phang (Vice President<br />
2), Jessie Cheah (Hon. Secretary) and Jenny<br />
Yow (Hon Treasurer). Immediate Past President, Anthony<br />
Sebastian and Ambassador at large, Prof Avadhani<br />
will be attending as well.<br />
MNS is a membership-based society and<br />
your presence at the National AGM matters. Your<br />
membership contributed to the success of the<br />
gazettement of the Royal Belum State Park and the<br />
scrapping of Tioman airport. Miri needs your voice<br />
and being present at the AGM shows your support<br />
and commitment!<br />
For more details concerning the National<br />
AGM in Miri , contact Wee Chin at membership@mns.org.my<br />
or call her at Tel: 03 2287 9422.<br />
1
Hornbill Volunteer<br />
Programme Part 3<br />
This is the third of a 4-part series. I would like to<br />
take this opportunity to interview the conservation team,<br />
namely Ravinder Kaur, Lim Kim Chye and Teresa Ong.<br />
The conservation team has been monitoring Plainpouched<br />
hornbills since 2004 although MNS introduced<br />
the Hornbill Volunteer Programme in 2008.<br />
Q1: How has the volunteer programme assisted the<br />
conservation team in the Hornbill count?<br />
It is not an easy task when one or two Conservation<br />
officers are assigned to the field to count thousands<br />
of hornbills. The worst part is, the hornbills come in a<br />
steady flow and within two hours, you could have 3,000<br />
over birds passing you by! Having volunteers helps<br />
tremendously, as they make the task more manageable for<br />
the conservation team.<br />
Many flocks may go uncounted if the observation<br />
is conducted by<br />
merely one or two conservation<br />
officers.<br />
Thus, the accuracy in<br />
numbers also increases<br />
when there are more<br />
people keeping a look<br />
out for the hornbills.<br />
Lim Kim Chye jotting down<br />
his observation<br />
Ravinder Kaur using the scope to<br />
monitor the hornbills<br />
Q2: In addition to<br />
conducting the hornbill<br />
counts, the conservation<br />
team<br />
monitors hornbill<br />
nesting sites. The<br />
monitoring of hornbill<br />
nests is not available<br />
under this volunteer<br />
programme.<br />
What are the reasons<br />
for not disclosing the<br />
hornbill sites?<br />
The nesting periods<br />
are a very sensitive<br />
period for most<br />
birds such as the hornbills.<br />
The welfare of<br />
the birds comes first<br />
and so, nest observations<br />
are strictly conducted<br />
by trained<br />
observers. The numbers<br />
of observers are<br />
normally kept under<br />
two people to minimize<br />
sound/disturbance to the breeding pair.<br />
The risks during nest observations are high. If<br />
disturbed, the male hornbill may abandon its mate &<br />
chick, risking them to starvation. After all, the helpless<br />
female (as it has removed its flight feathers) has sealed<br />
itself inside a nest cavity and relies completely on the<br />
male to supply food.<br />
Besides that, the locations of these nest sites<br />
are not meant to be disclosed to the general public,<br />
in fear that this information may fall into the hands<br />
of an ill-intentioned individual.<br />
Q3: Do share interesting facts about the plain<br />
pouch hornbills in Temengor Forest Reserve.<br />
Plain-pouched hornbills are not too shy of<br />
the conservation team or the volunteers, in fact these<br />
birds actually look down at the team as they fly right<br />
above our heads!<br />
These birds have travelled a great distance<br />
to come to Temengor to feed on fruiting trees.<br />
These birds have been reported to be nesting<br />
in Thailand, in December/January and then, once<br />
breeding season<br />
is over, they<br />
take on a long<br />
journey to head<br />
all the way<br />
down south to<br />
Belum & then<br />
Temengor.<br />
You can<br />
count up to<br />
3,000 hornbills<br />
in two hours!<br />
Hundreds may<br />
land on one tree<br />
to feed &<br />
they’re noisy!<br />
If you<br />
are keen to<br />
Teresa Ong preparing materials for the<br />
volunteer programme<br />
know more,<br />
logon to http://www.hornbills.org . To join the programme,<br />
email Jessie at community@mns.org.my<br />
Stay tuned! The last article will be featured in the October<br />
09 Pencinta Alam issue.<br />
Ravinder with the orang asli guides from Kampung Chuweh<br />
2
MNS sets it direction:<br />
Strategic Plan revealed<br />
In July 2009, MNS forwarded a document,<br />
MNS Strategic Plan to members through email. This<br />
document is uploaded in MNS website<br />
www.mns.org.my. Dr Loh, MNS Executive Director<br />
shares his thoughts on the plan.<br />
Q1: Why was there a need for a new Strategic<br />
Plan?<br />
Previously, MNS had a strategic plan for the<br />
period 2000-2005. Many of the goals set by that plan<br />
had been achieved and new goals needed to be set .<br />
Other remaining goals also needed to be reviewed to<br />
keep it relevant to the changing social, economic and<br />
environmental situation in the country and also globally.<br />
For example, certain issues such as climate<br />
change and public participation in environmental<br />
management have become increasingly prominent.<br />
It was felt that the <strong>Society</strong> needed a strategic plan set<br />
over a longer time frame (2008-2020) to ensure that<br />
the <strong>Society</strong>’s Mission can be carried out effectively<br />
and better reflect the current issues and challenges.<br />
The longer time frame is to provide sufficient time<br />
for the long term goals to be achieved.<br />
Q2: So what is new about the Strategic Plan 2008-<br />
2020?<br />
This Strategic Plan was carried out alongside<br />
a restructuring of the MNS Secretariat. One new development<br />
is the setting up of a Communications Division<br />
to handle communications and fundraising<br />
which was something the <strong>Society</strong> had not had before.<br />
Alongside the more established Conservation and<br />
Environmental Education Divisions, the administration<br />
and membership services was refashioned into<br />
the Services Division.<br />
However, the greatest difference to be found<br />
is that the new Strategic Plan emphasizes the need of<br />
interdivision collaboration. Previously, the goals<br />
were based along Divisional goals and objectives<br />
which were very sectorial in nature. The new strategy<br />
emphasizes the common goals of the <strong>Society</strong> and<br />
the need of interdivision collaboration and greater integration<br />
of efforts throughout the <strong>Society</strong>.<br />
Q3: Where will the new plan take MNS?<br />
This plan will guide MNS for the next 12<br />
years. It will build on the strengths and previous successes<br />
of the <strong>Society</strong> and try to improve its ability to<br />
meet future challenges. It is hoped that the plan will<br />
help the <strong>Society</strong>, both Secretariat and members, to<br />
more effectively work as a team. It also will place<br />
priority to establishing the <strong>Society</strong> on a firmer financial<br />
base so that it is less dependent on project<br />
funding and is able to initiate more project according<br />
to the <strong>Society</strong>’s own priority. It also hopes that<br />
through MNS, more <strong>Malaysian</strong>s are encouraged to<br />
be able, willing and actively involved in conservation<br />
of Malaysia’s natural heritage.<br />
Q4: As a member of MNS, how can I contribute to<br />
the strategic plan?<br />
The Strategic Plan is for the whole <strong>Society</strong><br />
and not just the Secretariat. The Secretariat will require<br />
members to help as consultants on many of the<br />
<strong>Society</strong>’s project. Apart from that, opportunities will<br />
continue to develop for volunteers to participate in<br />
continues next page<br />
MNS Goals and Strategies<br />
To secure the conservation of environmentally<br />
sensitive areas, key habitats and species in<br />
Malaysia<br />
- Advocate for Protected Areas System<br />
- Build and Maintain Knowledge Base<br />
- Advocate for Multilateral Environmental<br />
Agreements<br />
- Address threats on sites, species and habitats<br />
To empower current and future generations of<br />
<strong>Malaysian</strong>s to act for the protection of our natural<br />
heritage<br />
- Establish and grow the network of<br />
Environmental Education Centre’s<br />
- Strengthen and promote Kelab Pencinta Alam<br />
(KPAs)<br />
- Establish global networking<br />
- Empower and mobilise public to participate<br />
in conservation<br />
To strengthen the institutional capacity of the <strong>Society</strong><br />
towards achieving its mission and goals.<br />
- Establish financial sustainability<br />
- Capacity building of staff and branches<br />
- Strengthen and forge new partnerships<br />
- Raise the image of the society<br />
To grow and to effectively and efficiently mobilise<br />
membership resources towards achieving<br />
the <strong>Society</strong>’s mission and goals.<br />
- Engage, maintain and expand membership<br />
- Promote links through involving members in<br />
conservation projects<br />
3
Eco Kids<br />
Dugongs and Manatees<br />
Dugongs and manatees belong to the order Sirenia.<br />
They are believed to be relatives of the elephants.<br />
They live their lives in the water and feed on vegetation.<br />
To avoid danger, a manatee or dugong can<br />
swim up to 16 miles per hour, but usually they swim<br />
much slower. Dugongs and manatees are unique in<br />
that they are the only plant-eating marine mammals<br />
in modern times. The most dangerous threats to them<br />
are hunting, fishing nets and boat accidents.<br />
DUGONG<br />
The name 'Dugong' comes from the Malay<br />
word 'duyong', which means "mermaid". Dugongs<br />
don't see that well. Instead, they use their acute hearing.<br />
They feed in the shallow waters on seagrass with<br />
the aid of coarse, sensitive bristles, which cover the<br />
upper lip of their large and fleshy snout. Dugong<br />
males have small tusks, which they use during the<br />
mating season to challenge other dugongs.<br />
MANATEES<br />
Most Amazonian manatees have a distinct<br />
white or bright pink patch on their breast. Amazonian<br />
manatees mostly feed during the wet season,<br />
when they eat new vegetation in flooded backwaters.<br />
During the dry season (September - March), they<br />
gather in the main river channels or in deep parts of<br />
larger lakes, and may fast for weeks or months for<br />
lack of available food plants.<br />
The West Indian manatee is gray or brown in<br />
color. Some may weigh up to 3000 pounds. They can<br />
reach lengths of up to 4.5 m! All manatees have a<br />
split upper lip. They use both parts of the lip to help<br />
put food in their mouths. Because grasses aren't very<br />
nutritious, they feed on huge quantities.<br />
The West African manatees are found in<br />
coastal marine and estuarine habitats, and in fresh<br />
water river systems along the west coast of Africa.<br />
They can reach the same size and length as West Indian<br />
manatees. The West African manatee is the most<br />
threatened of all manatee species.<br />
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DUGONGS AND<br />
MANATEES<br />
The clearest visible difference between manatees<br />
and dugongs is in the shape of the tail. A manatee<br />
tail is paddle-shaped, while a dugong tail is<br />
fluked, similar in shape to that of a fish or whale.<br />
DUGONGS IN MALAYSIA<br />
Dugongs have been spotted in <strong>Malaysian</strong> waters,<br />
especially in the Johor River Basin, but the<br />
numbers are dwindling. Habitat loss, sedimentation,<br />
fishing nets, boats, pollution and diseases all threaten<br />
dugong populations. In the past, dugongs were<br />
hunted for their meat, oil, skin and tusk.<br />
To protect the dugong, one also has to secure<br />
its food source – the seagrass beds. Laws and regulations<br />
must also be passed to reduce the chances of<br />
them getting caught in fishing nets or injured or<br />
killed by boats.<br />
- Wong Ee Lynn<br />
gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com<br />
MNS Strategic Plan, continues<br />
field work, scientific studies (e.g. Hornbill Monitoring<br />
and Raptor Count), public events (e.g. Raptor<br />
Watch and Fraser’s Hill Bird Race), monitoring of<br />
protected areas (Local Areas Monitoring of Important<br />
Bird Areas i.e LAMIBA), participation in local<br />
environmental issues (e.g. EIAs, Local Plans) and<br />
others.<br />
However, the branches will also be encouraged<br />
to develop their own plans and projects in line<br />
with the goals of the strategic plan. We hope that<br />
members will actively contribute to these efforts at<br />
the local branch level. These activities are the ones<br />
that will go along way towards changing mindsets<br />
and building MNS role in the community.<br />
4
Member’s Report<br />
The Magical Endau-Rompin<br />
Park in Johore<br />
Few places satisfy the need for jungle<br />
trekking like the magical Endau Rompin National<br />
Park and <strong>Nature</strong> Education Centre in Johore. Do you<br />
feel like watching a majestic sunrise or sunset with a<br />
glass of lemonade or hot tea in your hands, against a<br />
backdrop of rustling leaves and the rhythmic sounds<br />
of the splashes of the river. “Why are you going to<br />
the forests again?” asked my bewildered friends. The<br />
previous jungle trip saw me returning home with<br />
leech’s bites and bee’s stings. The result was swollen<br />
bumps of inflamed skin and flesh on my legs which<br />
took three months to heal.<br />
The trip was educational right from the start. Men<br />
used long poles to harvest the oil palm fruit. Barn<br />
owls rested on the trees and they were reared to hunt<br />
wild rats which feast on the fruit. We saw the white<br />
cattle egrets which feed on the ticks on the cattle wallowing<br />
in the mud. It was hot when we arrived at<br />
the picturesque hostel-like accommodation. We were<br />
greeted not by the amiable guides but by leeches<br />
which appeared to prefer fresh blood of us, city<br />
dwellers. I seemed to be attacked by leeches whereas<br />
the locals there were immune to them. There was a<br />
male and female only hostel and the ladies in their<br />
sarong had to make a bee-line for the washroom, for<br />
a shower. At night the sounds of the insects and frogs<br />
were amplified for there was a big pond for frogs to<br />
court; not to say that people would welcome the loud<br />
honk of frogs.<br />
During the talks, we learnt that the common<br />
leech is black but the Tiger leech is green with bright<br />
yellow stripes. They are elastic and have strong suckers.<br />
Frequently after a long trek, we discovered a fat<br />
leech filled with our warm blood stuck underneath<br />
our shirts. In fact one stubborn leech was feeding<br />
contentedly on my stomach. I could not figure out<br />
how and when it had attacked me. By the time I discovered<br />
it had already ballooned to three times its<br />
original, wiry size. It was difficult killing it and that<br />
was not my intention for these creatures may become<br />
endangered one day. “You can use cigarette smoke<br />
or salt or minyak angin harimau to remove it” said<br />
the boat boy with a toothy grin. He was amused as I<br />
joined him for a puff of homemade cigarettes - tobacco<br />
rolled deftly in dry leaves, kirau daun. Wow!<br />
The cigarette is strong and he laughed as the smoke<br />
trailed out from my nostrils. He told me to burn off<br />
the leech but I tried pulling it off. Thus it was a tug<br />
and war as I pulled the “vampire” leech off me. I<br />
reckoned I must have lost two tablespoons of blood<br />
but it was a worthwhile sacrifice. After feeding it<br />
would then look for a mate and definitely the Pacat<br />
Trail (Leech Trail) had hundreds of them . When we<br />
took a not-so leisurely stroll on this trail, I asked the<br />
guys to walk in front of me for they would be attacked<br />
by the leeches first. Thus they did so gallantly<br />
for me. Chivalry is not dead!<br />
In the mornings we heard the melodious<br />
chirping of birds at the back of the hostel. They<br />
darted in and out from heights to catch the dying and<br />
flying termites on the ground. Black Drongos were<br />
aggressive with their long tapering tails while the<br />
Asian Fairy Bluebirds hid when they saw us. The<br />
red-breasted Sharma and beige Babblers were lovely<br />
sights to behold. The river nearby was great and we<br />
trekked to a lovely lake.<br />
. We swam to<br />
our hearts’ delight and walked with our swimsuits<br />
under a dry shirt. Sometimes we ladies wish that we<br />
can just change into dry attire in the open like the<br />
men. Man being a social animal has norms and<br />
morals and ladies simply cannot do as they please<br />
even in the forest. Me? Yours truly preferred sitting<br />
by the river and listening to the noise of the cicadas,<br />
smelling the damp grass and touching the soft, wet<br />
soil. The earth’s loveliest fragrance is known after a<br />
shower of rain. Then the scent of wet earth rises as<br />
though it were giving something in return to the<br />
clouds – a blend of all the fragrant things that grow<br />
on it. The flowing river with splashes of lights in the<br />
dark, the cool wind blowing through the verdant<br />
leaves, the slender-stemmed walking stick plant, orchids<br />
and toadstools gracing the forest floor, the deep<br />
rock pools with the thundering roar of the tumbling<br />
water- a plethora of encounters with elusive creatures—would<br />
not all nature enthusiasts who have<br />
seen these feel the same stirrings within their beings?<br />
- Peggy Tan<br />
5
Surveying caves<br />
within Mulu Cave<br />
Clearwater<br />
Q1: This is the second year Cave Group members<br />
have travelled on their own expense to conduct<br />
surveys in Mulu Cave. What inspired the team to<br />
take on this initiative for two consecutive years?<br />
The trip in 2008 was the first official field trip<br />
to Mulu by the Selangor Branch Cave Group. The<br />
cave group had many discussions over the years to<br />
organize a trip to Mulu but without success. In the<br />
past, there was leisure excursion to Mulu by individual<br />
members to commercially open caves. The<br />
group decided to conduct a more serious approach to<br />
Mulu and not just attend the commercial tours. We<br />
wanted to do more and offer our skills to the park as<br />
cavers. Many expeditions were conducted by foreigners<br />
but there were no known local independent<br />
cave groups that took the interest in exploring and<br />
surveying lesser known caves around the park except<br />
for the park guides. Moreover, the park did not know<br />
that such caving group existed in Malaysia. The first<br />
trip to Mulu in 2008, we had to prove ourselves worthy<br />
of the task to the park management. Spending 9<br />
days in Mulu was not enough. The immense biodiversity<br />
and geological importance which we soon<br />
discover was far too great to imagine. We probably<br />
just touched the tip of the “limestone”. And on top of<br />
that, it was right in our very own country.<br />
After returning from the trip, the group decided<br />
to mount a second trip to continue on the work<br />
that we left. There were so much work that needed to<br />
be done from photography and surveying. Some<br />
members were just dreaming of going back as they<br />
got the “Mulu blues”. Five of the original team members<br />
from the group of ten were able to attend the<br />
2009 trip. The other five would have like<br />
to come but had other commitments. The<br />
2009 trip saw an addition of 3 new members<br />
who were able to contribute successfully.<br />
It was a team effort and<br />
encouragement from the members which<br />
inspired the team to continue on for the<br />
second trip.<br />
Q2: Can you share with members<br />
some of the findings from this survey<br />
to Mulu Cave?<br />
Two caves were mapped which was<br />
previously not surveyed. They were subsequently<br />
named Wild Boar Cave and<br />
Kenyalang Cave. Darren and Chun Wah<br />
found a cave each. They were named<br />
Kenyalang<br />
Stairway Cave and Gecko Cave respectively. These<br />
two caves have not been surveyed as they were found<br />
during a trail blazing cave finding mission. They will<br />
be the next item on our list to be surveyed. All the<br />
information obtained during the trip has been forwarded<br />
to the park management for their keeping.<br />
We will provide more details in the future.<br />
I would say MNS Cave Group would be the<br />
only volunteer <strong>Malaysian</strong> group currently assisting<br />
the park in surveying the lesser known caves. To my<br />
understanding from the park there is no other<br />
<strong>Malaysian</strong> group conducting such similar activity.<br />
Q3: Can you share with us the impact of conducting<br />
this survey for Mulu Cave and for Cave<br />
Group SIG members?<br />
6
Wild Boar<br />
Although the length of the cave that we surveyed<br />
was short in comparison to Clearwater Cave,<br />
they most certainly show that these caves do exist in<br />
the park. Perhaps one day it may connect to other<br />
systems. The impact in conducting the survey is that<br />
it will provide the park a database and record for<br />
preservation of this unique world heritage site. The<br />
entire cave group members had gain tremendous<br />
knowledge in this field trip. We have learned how<br />
the park maintains a balance in educating the visitors<br />
and at the same time minimizing the environmental<br />
impact to ensure sustainability of the<br />
ecosystem.<br />
Q4: Will you continue with the cave survey in<br />
Mulu next year? If yes, what kind of skills and<br />
training is needed?<br />
Most Definitely! We will be looking for<br />
members who have the patience to explore, high in<br />
energy, prepare to walk the whole day and not be disappointed<br />
if caves are not found. Mental and physical<br />
toughness is a definite must. Special skills such as<br />
rope work will be essential. Map reading and sketching<br />
skills will be an advantage. The cave group is<br />
able to train members in performing these tasks. Attending<br />
the Basic Caving Course which the cave<br />
group conducts annually will provide an excellent<br />
over view of what is expected on caving trips. The<br />
park management does require a certain level of caving<br />
expertise before they even allow us to venture<br />
into some of the more advance cave systems. The<br />
Basic Caving Course would certainly be a prerequisite<br />
for any member who wish to participate in the<br />
next excursion to Mulu with the cave group. In the<br />
course, participants will learn how caves are formed<br />
and how it plays an important role in conservation.<br />
Here, the cave group is able to share our knowledge,<br />
skills and appreciation to nature. The team had to<br />
start preparing for the excursion at least 2 months in<br />
advance to ensure everyone in good physical fitness<br />
and refresh their rope work skills. Most importantly,<br />
a passion in caving and a sense to conserve nature<br />
are the basic skills required. Sounds like a bit to ask<br />
for in a member but its all serious fun to ensure safe<br />
caving!<br />
Keen to support? Contact Mr. Yee Yoke<br />
Chuan at yeey2c@yahoo.com<br />
Bukit Cerakah Expedition -<br />
Green Legacy<br />
The Bukit Cerakah Forest Reserve near Shah<br />
Alam is a sizeable remnant of hilly lowland forest of<br />
some 1500 ha. There is much pressure on this forest<br />
from development. Many MNS members are familiar<br />
with this forest and MNS is keen to ensure that<br />
this remains protected and used for conservation, educatiion<br />
and recreation. To this end, an expedition is<br />
planned to carry out scientific documentation of the<br />
flora, fauna, geography and social aspects of this forest,<br />
leading to a symposium (the proceedings to be<br />
printed in MNJ) and a coffee table book. It is hoped<br />
that the awareness raised and information gathered<br />
will lead to the forest's protection and proper management.<br />
This forest is known to have a large variety<br />
of birds, large mammals including 4 primates and<br />
the Tapir, good insect population amongst others.<br />
The Expedition details are still being developed<br />
but it is expected to be launched by the Datuk<br />
Bandar of Shah Alam, whio is the expedition patron,<br />
on the 23rd of August and to last for about six weeks.<br />
This expedition will be carried out by MNS in partnership<br />
with Selangor Forestry Department, WWFM<br />
and SP Setia Eco-Park. The expedition camp and<br />
entry site to the forest will be via Setia Eco-Park<br />
which borders the forest on the west side. This<br />
unique partnership of Government, NGO and Corporate<br />
for the protection of a forest near an urban<br />
centre is truly a new milestone in conservation in this<br />
country.<br />
Researchers from Universities and Institutions<br />
will be invited to participate in the expedition<br />
continues next page<br />
7
Would you eat<br />
Genetically Modified<br />
food?<br />
Regardless whether your answer is "Yes" or<br />
"No", you have been happily consuming Genetically<br />
Modified(GM) food for more than ten years without<br />
realizing it. Basic soybean-based products like tempe,<br />
taufu, soy sauce, soybean drinks, plus maize or jagung-based<br />
products like cornflakes and cooking oil,<br />
even certain ice cream ingredients* rank among these<br />
Genetically Modified foods sold to <strong>Malaysian</strong>s.<br />
These items have been imported into the country for<br />
use as food, feed and processing for over a decade.<br />
“What, why and how?” you may ask. The<br />
public has been blissfully unaware as there are no<br />
compulsory labeling requirements yet for GM products<br />
and ingredients, which is why the "Biosafety Act<br />
2007" is of such importance. The magnitude of this<br />
Act was revealed during Biosafety seminar at the<br />
MNS HQ on the 11th of July 2009. The speakers explained<br />
what is referred to as “Modern Biotechnology”,<br />
the potential benefits, and its possible risks.<br />
There were statistics on how genetically-modified<br />
corn gave a 3.5 billion pound yield increase, and<br />
biotech soybeans brought about $1 billion in additional<br />
income through production cost savings. An example<br />
of cost savings in farming can be seen in<br />
MON810 YieldGard(tm) Maize which is genetically<br />
modified to produce an insecticidal protein*.With insecticidal<br />
properties produced within this jagung itself,<br />
the need to buy insecticides is therefore<br />
unnecessary or vastly reduced.<br />
As the very extensive Cartagena Protocol and<br />
the National Biosafety Act were being explained in<br />
perfect legalese, heads were seen nodding - some in<br />
agreement - and some more likely in slumber. Essentially<br />
these regulations promise to keep things safe,<br />
and enable the “positive” development of “Modern<br />
Biotechnology”. (At present, Malaysia is only at its<br />
infancy as far as this technology is concerned, with<br />
work being done on papayas and other fruits.) While<br />
it was clearly mentioned that the Act will not compromise<br />
on the potential dangers of any Genetically<br />
Modified organisms or the products based on them,<br />
concerns were brought up on the way things tend to<br />
be implemented. The inquiries from attendees after<br />
the official presentations unearthed this much complicated<br />
side of the GM quest. One of the first questions<br />
raised was why the power to make final decision<br />
for appeal cases in the Biosafety Act lies with the<br />
Minister. Other difficult issues raised included the example<br />
of Monsanto in India which uses “terminator<br />
technology" to force poor Third World farmers to buy<br />
every single seed they need for planting their crops<br />
from rich multinationals. In “terminator technology”,<br />
plants are genetically modified never to produce fertile<br />
seeds for the farmer to use. There are no easy answers<br />
for these concerns, but the Biosafety Act 2007<br />
is a significant step forward, to regulate the development<br />
and save use of GM organisms and its products<br />
to protect human, plant, animal health and the environment.<br />
Further queries regarding biosafety regulatory<br />
activities can be addressed to biosafety@nre.gov.my.<br />
- Jovian Lee (jovian.lee@leoburnett.com.my)<br />
Prasad Vasudevon (eeprogram@mns.org.my)<br />
*Biosafety Newsletter, vol.1, issue 1, April 2009, pg<br />
12-13<br />
Bkt Cerakah, continues<br />
but it is also open to MNS members with the expertise<br />
and knowledge to contribute to the expedition.<br />
There will be an expedition committee to oversee the<br />
research work carried out. MNS members can participate<br />
subject to the approval of this committee.<br />
For now, we would ask interested members<br />
to contact Gary Phong (Selangor Branch Chair) and<br />
register by giving your name and the name of your<br />
team, contact details, details of what studies or contributions<br />
to the expedition that you will carry out<br />
and also when and how many days you would like to<br />
participate. More details will follow on the MNS<br />
website and in the next Pencinta Alam.<br />
8
Green Living Column<br />
A Compressed Natural<br />
Gas (CNG) Fuel Q & A<br />
Here are some questions asked of the Green Living<br />
coordinator via e-mail and at outreach events:<br />
Q: WOULD A CNG CONVERSION/RETROFIT<br />
REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT<br />
OF DRIVING MY CAR?<br />
It definitely would! CNG or compressed natural<br />
gas is a domestically available, economical,<br />
clean-burning, alternative fuel source for vehicles. In<br />
addition, natural gas does not contaminate lakes,<br />
rivers, or groundwater as petroleum fuels do, because<br />
it quickly dissipates into the atmosphere if a leak or<br />
spill occurs.<br />
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculated<br />
the potential benefits of CNG versus petroleum<br />
based on the inherently cleaner-burning characteristics<br />
of natural gas:<br />
• Reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 90%-<br />
97%<br />
• Reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 25%<br />
• Reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 35%-60%<br />
• Potentially reduces non-methane hydrocarbon<br />
emissions by 50%-75%<br />
• Emits fewer toxic and carcinogenic pollutants<br />
• Emits little or no particulate matter<br />
• Eliminates evaporative emissions<br />
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has<br />
called the natural gas Honda Civic GX the cleanest<br />
internal-combustion vehicle on Earth.<br />
Q: I READ OF THE RECENT EXPLOSION OF<br />
A CNG-POWERED VEHICLE (A.K.A. NGV).<br />
IS NATURAL GAS SAFE TO USE AS FUEL?<br />
The authorities are still trying to determine<br />
the cause of the explosion of the NGV reported in<br />
the newspapers. However, all professional bodies including<br />
the (U.S.) Union of Concerned Scientists and<br />
Environmental Protection Agency are of the opinion<br />
that natural gas is a much safer fuel than petroleum.<br />
Natural gas is lighter than air. This means that<br />
it will not puddle (like petroleum) or sink to the<br />
ground like propane, which is heavier than air. Instead,<br />
natural gas will rise and dissipate in the atmosphere.<br />
Natural gas also has a higher ignition<br />
temperature. This means that it is much harder to ignite.<br />
Also, the US Dept of the Environment reports<br />
that the storage systems used for compressed natural<br />
gas are infinitely stronger that the petroleum tanks<br />
found on cars and trucks today.<br />
Q: WHAT FACTORS SHOULD I TAKE INTO<br />
CONSIDERATION BEFORE MAKING THE<br />
DECISION TO RETROFIT/CONVERT MY<br />
CAR TO RUN ON CNG?<br />
Although some environmentalists have expressed<br />
concern that natural gas is also a fossil fuel<br />
and reliance on it may be ‘prolonging the problem’ of<br />
finding an alternative to fossil fuels, and that increased<br />
use of natural gas will require infrastructure<br />
investments that have a high environmental impact,<br />
the Union of Concerned Scientists believes that experience<br />
with gas-based fuels and their transportation/transmission<br />
infrastructure will facilitate a<br />
transition to future alternative fuel systems, such as<br />
hydrogen fuel. At the moment, natural gas is the most<br />
economical, widely accessible and cleanest-burning<br />
fuel for vehicles available.<br />
As the writer of this column has been using a<br />
vehicle retrofitted to run on CNG since October<br />
2008, her advice to those contemplating a CNG vehicle<br />
retrofit/conversion is as follows:<br />
- Utilise only the services of licensed NGV installers<br />
and repair/service workshops.<br />
- Ensure that there are at least 2-3 NGV stations<br />
within 3km of your home and/or workplace or along<br />
the route you regularly use. Refuel during non-peak<br />
hours so you will have a shorter queuing/waiting period.<br />
- Recognise the fact that there may be a slight reduction<br />
in your vehicle’s torque/power, especially<br />
when going uphill or carrying a heavier load than<br />
usual.<br />
- Sign up with online NGV locator forums to find<br />
out about the availability of NGV stations outside of<br />
the Klang Valley and to receive news on the opening/closure<br />
of NGV stations.<br />
- Find out about, and adhere to, the JPJ and Puspakom<br />
certification and endorsement procedures.<br />
- Wong Ee Lynn<br />
gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com<br />
9
Member’s Report<br />
Close encounters of<br />
the Mycota kind<br />
Every walk in the rainforest is different.<br />
No matter how many times we visited<br />
Lambir Hills National Park, one of the<br />
oldest rainforest in the world, we would always<br />
see something different on each walk<br />
because of the changes that goes along with<br />
the subtle variations in the micro climate.<br />
Today, the moment we stepped into Lambir,<br />
we noticed something very different from our numerous<br />
other walks here. Our first encounter with<br />
a brown, rather plain looking but glistening mushroom<br />
by a tree root not two minutes into the trail was<br />
just the beginning of a journey of exploration into<br />
the kingdom of fungi.<br />
Mycota or fungus flora is ever present in the<br />
rainforest. Most of their fruit bodies are small and if<br />
you don’t stop and give an earnest look it is very easy<br />
to miss them altogether. With the everyone’s tendency<br />
to look up and around when faced with the<br />
grandeur that is Lambir, what lies on ground almost<br />
always gets very little notice. However, on this day<br />
there were just way too many of them for us not to<br />
notice. The moderately heavy rain the last few days<br />
after what must have been quite a long dry spell<br />
brought about the tremendous fruiting of mushrooms<br />
all over the forest floor.<br />
Many of the mycota species that we bumped<br />
into were mushrooms and boletes of various sizes,<br />
height and colours. These mushrooms prefer the<br />
leaf litter under the bases of trees or close to the tree<br />
roots and that is exactly the location where we collided<br />
with mycota’s splendour. Sometimes it is hard<br />
not to squish them underfoot even with our most gingerly<br />
trot. The bigger and taller amongst the species<br />
rised above the leaf litter as if screaming for urgent<br />
attention. Occasionally we glimpsed one or two<br />
smaller ones and when we cleared away the dead<br />
leaves around them, long a behold there popped out<br />
a thriving colony. The life span of a fruit body of<br />
mushrooms is short, their presence is as quickly as<br />
they disappear from view. Today they were plentiful<br />
and we consider ourselves extremely lucky to be<br />
able to observe their various stages of growth<br />
through our our day’s walk.<br />
Of notable mention is the Amanita sp, many<br />
of them were in their most perfect condition, with all<br />
the mushroom parts intact which allow us to make<br />
brief study of their annulus (or ring), universal veil,<br />
warts, and volva (or cup)<br />
On the trail, we met a Japanese scientist who<br />
was grinning from ear to ear, obviously smitten by<br />
recent close mycota encounter, on his way back with<br />
a bagful of mycota specimens that he has collected<br />
from the research trail. We weren’t sure whether he’s<br />
ingested any of the mind bending mycota species but<br />
perhaps he was just looking forward to the hours of<br />
long intimate study of his fortunate collection.<br />
The wonders and the diversity of plants in<br />
Lambir Hills National Park never ceases to amaze.<br />
If you take time to look closely and explore things<br />
carefully, as they were meant to be you will be richly<br />
rewarded. It is without a doubt one of our most<br />
‘fruitful’ trips to Lambir Park, we were indeed very<br />
fortunate to be there at the right place and time to<br />
witness this wonderful workings of the kingdom mycota,<br />
an important and vital component of the rainforest.<br />
- Test & photos by Sara Wong, Miri<br />
Reference<br />
Pegler, D. N. The Larger Fungi of Borneo. 1997.<br />
Kota Kinabalu: Natural History Publications (Borneo)<br />
Sdn. Bhd.<br />
10
Bookshelf<br />
A Friendship with<br />
Birds: A Guide to the<br />
Identification &<br />
Appreciation of<br />
Common Birds in the<br />
Gardens & Cities of<br />
Peninsular Malaysia<br />
Author: Dato’s Dr Amar-Singh HSS<br />
Publisher: Desktop Systems<br />
Year Published: 2009<br />
Type of Cover: Soft cover<br />
ISBN: 9789839993936<br />
No. of pages: 170<br />
Price: Member RM 54.00<br />
Non-member RM 60.00<br />
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS is a Senior Consultant<br />
Paediatrician with the Ministry of Health and<br />
Head of the Peadiatric Department at Ipoh Hospital.<br />
He is responsible for Paediatric services in<br />
Perak. His wife Datin Dr Swee-Im Lim is self retired<br />
from government service and a home maker.<br />
Dr Amar & Dr Lim have been bird watchers for<br />
more than 35 years. After having seen many<br />
species they have moved from bird watchers to<br />
bird-friends – no longer interested in ‘ticking’ off<br />
a new species seen but spending much time getting<br />
to know birds on a personal level, with personalized<br />
names and some degree of<br />
communication.<br />
More than 60 species of birds have visited<br />
their small garden in Ipoh, of which 35 are frequent<br />
visitors or residents. Much of their ‘bird-watching’<br />
is now with the naked eye so as not to upset their bird<br />
friends with limited optics and digital photography<br />
for the same reason.<br />
They have many other interests like star gazing,<br />
enjoying herbs and trees, etc – especially Amar<br />
who could be described as a ‘Murai gila’ (see section<br />
on the Fantailed Flycatcher)!<br />
Their primary interest in life is to develop a<br />
deep personal relationship with God and be available<br />
to help others make the journey into God’s heart. <strong>Nature</strong><br />
and birds are, but one of the ways, that serves to<br />
welcome us into that relationship.<br />
Wild Orchids of<br />
Cameron<br />
Highlands<br />
Authors: Cheam May Choo, Antony van der Ent,<br />
Embi Abdullah and Balu Perumal<br />
Publisher: Regional Environmental Awareness<br />
Cameron Highlands<br />
Year Published: June 2009<br />
Type of Cover: Hard cover<br />
ISBN: 97898344449<br />
No. of pages: 208<br />
Price: Member RM 90.00<br />
Non-member RM 100.00<br />
The aim of this book is to showcase the beauty of<br />
wild orchids found in Cameron Highlands. In the<br />
process we hope to create public awareness on the<br />
rich biodiversity present here and the need to conserve<br />
our depleting highland forests.<br />
As many as 313 photographs of wild orchids<br />
covering more than half of the 605 species<br />
found in Cameron Highlands are featured in this<br />
book. These photographs are out of a collection of<br />
around 15,000 taken over a span of 6 years. We<br />
have also included photographs of places still relatively<br />
untouched, to highlight what we stand to<br />
lose if deforestation continues unabated.<br />
This book has come into publication as a<br />
result of the collective efforts of residents here<br />
who are extremely concerned about the deteriorating<br />
environment in Cameron Highlands. Under<br />
the banner of R.E.A.C.H., a community based<br />
nongovernmental organisation and working voluntarily,<br />
orchid surveys were carried out, photographs<br />
taken, analysed, catalogued and compiled<br />
into a book. The text has been kept simple. Identification<br />
and verification of the orchids have been<br />
done with utmost care. Any error is much regretted.<br />
We hope you will enjoy the photographs of<br />
our ‘forest gems’. The message we hope to convey<br />
is simple. “Save Our Forests”.<br />
Books are available at ‘The MNS Shop’<br />
T/F: 03-22873471.<br />
E: natureowlet@yahoo.com<br />
Please call/e-mail before dropping in.<br />
11
Calendar of Activities<br />
August<br />
1<br />
Sat Monthly Guided Walk: Rimba Ilmu The<br />
botanical gardens within the Universiti Malaya<br />
campus at Pantai.<br />
The visit is a casual ramble around the extensive<br />
gardens, looking at plants, biodiversity and<br />
cultural relevance, followed by a visit to the Rainforest<br />
Exhibition and the Rare Plants Conservatory,<br />
all for a modest fee of RM4 per person. Meet at the<br />
steps of the Rimba Ilmu building at 9AM, wear long<br />
sleeves and pants if mosquitos like you. There is no<br />
need to book, but you can contact the tour leader Angela<br />
on 012 210 4229 but ONLY in case of emergency.<br />
9<br />
Sun Visit to Aenon Health Farm 2630-1, Jalan<br />
Tanjung Maniac, Batu 7, Kampung Tengah,<br />
Bukit Rambai, 75250 Malacca. Co-ordinates: 2 degrees<br />
15.342 minutes North, 102 degrees 11.324<br />
minutes East<br />
Starting at 11am, join us to understand the<br />
workings of your local health farm in Bukit Rambai.<br />
A briefing on the facilities and aims of the health<br />
farm will be given, followed by a lecture that may<br />
change for ever your eating habits to a more healthy<br />
way. A healthy, vegetarian buffet lunch at 1 pm is included<br />
at the nominal charge of RM15 per person.<br />
Look it up at http://health.aenon.org.my/about/<br />
Coordinators: Lim Ming Hui (012-2760327,<br />
limmel05@yahoo.com) or Stephanie Bacon (012<br />
2175590, cooltek@streamyx.com)<br />
11<br />
Tues Talk: “Shutterbugs (2) - Anatomy of a<br />
camera and the effects of settings” MNS Auditorium,<br />
Jln. Kelantan, KL, at 8pm.<br />
For those interested in bird photography,<br />
John Steed will be holding a talk on how cameras<br />
function, an overview of the common settings, and<br />
the effects each have when taking photographs in the<br />
field. He will also include some examples of common<br />
mistakes and how to overcome them.<br />
Open to all MNS members. (Contact: Khoo<br />
Swee Seng 013-3863663)<br />
15-16<br />
Sat-Sun MNS Photogroup at Kuala<br />
Lumpur Photography Festival 2009<br />
(KLPF 2009) 10.00am -8.00pm, Mid-Valley Exhibition<br />
Centre (MVEC) Hall 3.<br />
The Photogroup will be setting up a booth to<br />
promote MNS to the public. A member recruitment<br />
drive is being conducted. Volunteers will be most<br />
welcome to assist in setting up and manning the<br />
booth, introducing MNS to the public and assist in<br />
members recruitment.<br />
The volunteer hours is not for the whole day.<br />
A time-table will be drawn up to break up the day<br />
into 2 or 3 sessions each day. Interested volunteers,<br />
please contact Alex Foong (012-2893133 or Tovee<br />
at toveewan@gmail.com or 012-388 7498 to book<br />
your volunteer slot(s).<br />
19<br />
Wed MNS Photogroup monthly meet-up<br />
8:00pm to 10:00pm, MNS HQ auditorium,<br />
Jalan Kelantan<br />
MNS Photogroup will be having its monthly<br />
meet up every 3rd Wednesday of the month. MNS<br />
members are invited to join the meet up for a session<br />
of sharing and discussion. If you have any photos to<br />
share, feel free to show the members during the meet<br />
up. However, the session will be limited to 10 photos<br />
per member, depending on the time factor.<br />
Interested? More information? You may contact<br />
kokyoonlee@gmail.com<br />
23<br />
Sun Birdwatching: Gunung Telapa Buruk,<br />
Negeri Sembilan Jointly organized by the<br />
Negeri Sembilan/Melaka Branch and the Selangor<br />
Branch Bird Group.<br />
Meet at the Senawang Toll Exit at 7.00 a.m.<br />
The distance from Senawang Toll Gate to the foothill<br />
of Gunung Telapa Buruk is 23km. Gunung Telapa<br />
Buruk is 1193 metres above sea level at its highest<br />
point. Birds seen here are a mix of lowland and submontane<br />
species.<br />
Members from Negeri Sembilan and Melaka<br />
may contact Mr. Ang at 06-2326707 or e-mail wenshen1@streamyx.com<br />
to register interest.<br />
Members from Selangor may contact Mr.<br />
Tang at 012-3061133 or Mr. Mark Ng at 012-<br />
3195189 or email daytrips@piedfantail.com<br />
If you are calling, please make it between<br />
6.00pm and 10.00pm. You may SMS anytime.<br />
Bring along your binoculars, drinking water and light<br />
snacks. Wear dull-coloured clothes, hat and comfortable<br />
shoes. Mosquito repellent will also come in<br />
useful. This half day event will end before noon.<br />
12
30<br />
Sun Hike: Gunung Angsi<br />
Gunung Angsi (825m) situated in Ulu Bendul<br />
Park in N.Sembilan is one of the easier mountain<br />
to climb, easy to moderate. Beginning the trail is flat<br />
and wide and trails along the Batang Terachi river<br />
until you reach a small stream and from there the<br />
climb starts. There are some steep parts but manageable.<br />
Cost is Rm20/-(Member) and Rm35/-(Non-<br />
Member) covers park fee and group fund, payable to<br />
Maybank Account No: 11222303858(LIM SOCK<br />
TEEN). For further info and registration please contact<br />
Sidney 019-2221123 or Sim 012-3131717 (between<br />
8pm-10pm).<br />
September<br />
5<br />
Sat Monthly Guided Walk: Rimba Ilmu Refer<br />
to August 1st write-up.<br />
12-13<br />
Sat-Sun Photo Weekend Trip: Taman<br />
Hutan Lagenda (base of Gunung<br />
Ledang)<br />
This is an overnight trip to for enthusiastic<br />
photographers to enjoy a weekend away in a forest at<br />
the base of Gunung Ledang. Limited places only,<br />
thus it will be on a first-pay-first-go basis.<br />
Cost and more information will be announced<br />
in September 2009 newsletter. Interested?<br />
Please send an e-mail afoong@tm.net.my or<br />
mnsphotogroup.wy@gmail.com<br />
26<br />
Sat MNS National AGM 2009 in Miri<br />
Please refer to front page.<br />
October<br />
16-21<br />
Raptor Watch at Radar Hill, Thailand<br />
Thailand serves as a crucial land-bridge for<br />
connecting raptors breeding in the northern hemisphere<br />
with overwintering areas in the south like<br />
Malaysia and to the far east.<br />
Radar Hill, near Chumphon, is one of the<br />
best spots in Thailand to observe raptors in migration,<br />
offering views at or near eye-level and often<br />
raptors are seen passing below the watch site as well.<br />
Participants will take a midnight express bus<br />
on Oct 16th from KL to Hatyai where they will take<br />
a connecting van to Radar Hill. Return will be by<br />
overnight train from Chumphon to Hatyai, then express<br />
bus back to KL.<br />
Cost: RM450 includes all land transportation<br />
and accommodation (meals not included). Booking<br />
on first-come-first-serve basis with full payment.<br />
Contact Alan Yu at 016-3322991 or<br />
alanyu01@gmail.com. Payments by cheque to be<br />
made out to Yu Toh Bing or direct debit to Maybank<br />
account no: 1-14196-18946-5. No refund for cancellations<br />
by participants.<br />
Closing date 15th Sept. Pre-trip meeting on Thursday,<br />
8th Oct 2009, 8pm at MNS HQ Auditorium.<br />
17-18<br />
Trip to Sg Pulai Estuary & Kukup<br />
National Park<br />
Join us in our next trip to the Sungai Pulai<br />
Estuary to volunteer with Save Our Seahorses (SOS).<br />
This time, we will participate in the Merambong<br />
rocky shores and reef survey, at the uninhabited island<br />
of Pulau Merambong. We’ll also visit the Kukup<br />
National Park. A seafood lunch in Kukup will be provided.<br />
Travel is by carpool, costs to be borne by each<br />
individual. This package covers:<br />
(1) 1-night stay in a boutique hotel (Sat night)<br />
(2) 2 meals (Sun breakfast & Sun seafood lunch)<br />
(3) Merambong rocky shores and reef survey costs<br />
(boat transfer + guide fees)<br />
(4) Kukup National Park costs (entrance ticket +<br />
guide + boat)<br />
Cost: RM190 (members)/ RM260 (nonmembers,<br />
includes 1 year membership). Places are<br />
limited, first come & paid first served! Booking: By<br />
Friday, 18 September = pay RM 100 Confirm: By<br />
Friday, 2 October = pay full sum (RM190 or RM260)<br />
Contact: Khor Hui Min 017-881 7714,<br />
khor.hm@gmail.com<br />
All events, times and venues are correct at time<br />
of printing. For latest updates, contact your<br />
favourite SIG, check the MNS website regularly<br />
or join the eGroup by sending an e-mail to<br />
mnselangor-subscribe@yahoogroups.com<br />
Don’t Leave Home Without It<br />
All members are required to show their membership<br />
cards to participate in any of the<br />
Branch’s activities. New members who haven't<br />
received their cards will be required to show<br />
their membership payment receipts. Lost your<br />
card? Contact Wee Chin at HQ.<br />
13
November<br />
22-29<br />
<strong>Nature</strong> Appreciation Trip: North Sulawesi ,<br />
Indonesia Grade: 2 (Moderate)<br />
The Pathfinders is organizing a nature appreciation<br />
trip to North Sulawesi which will see us heading to<br />
areas known for its rich wildlife and spectacular volcanic<br />
mountains, highland coloured lakes and National Parks rich<br />
in birdlife and endemic mammals. Part of the itinerary will include<br />
Tangkoko National Park, home of the smallest primates<br />
(tarsier) in the world, as well as the Black Macaque Monkey<br />
with pink heart-shaped bum and the knobbed hornbill.<br />
The trip will also include a trek to the cool Minahasa<br />
Highlands(Mt Lokon(1580m) and Mt Mahawu(1311m) – active<br />
volcanoes) and also Bunaken Marine National Park.<br />
North Sulawasi is part of the important hypothetical ‘Wallace<br />
line’ (please refer to footnote) at the east side of Indonesia<br />
since 150 years ago.<br />
The estimated cost is RM 950.00 for basic accommodation,<br />
food (at National parks), transportation (bus/van),<br />
park fees, guide/porter fees and Group Fund. Air flight ticket<br />
from KLIA to Manado - KLIA is EXCLUDED. Currently,<br />
AirAsia flies to-fro KLIA-Manado on Tuesday, Friday and<br />
Sunday. Trip deposit of RM300.00 (non-refundable) is required<br />
by 15th September and the balance payable latest by<br />
30th Sept.<br />
If interested, please call Sidney Seo, 019 – 222 1123<br />
(8.00 pm ~ 11.00 pm) before/by 22 Sept for further information<br />
and reservation. Early confirmation is encouraged due to<br />
limited air flight bookings and fares.<br />
Payment Methods (Upon confirmation of reservation<br />
by co-ordinators): Direct credit to Bank Account No. : Maybank<br />
1122 2303 8585. (Lim Sock Teen). Please fax bank-in<br />
slip stating your name, membership number, contact number/email,<br />
trip: “North Sulawesi 2009” to 03 – 7726 2098<br />
OR email to patlim612@yahoo.com / pathfsel@yahoo.com<br />
The Wallace Line<br />
The imaginary Wallace Line is named after the naturalist<br />
Alfred Russel Wallace, one of the 19th century founders<br />
of biogeography, who explored the islands between 1854 and<br />
1862 runs between Bali and Lombok, extending north through<br />
the Makassar Strait between Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sulawesi.<br />
Alfred Russel Wallace formulated his ideas on evolution<br />
by natural selection while observing and collecting<br />
wildlife in the islands of Southeast Asia. He was particularly<br />
impressed with why there was a dramatic division between<br />
the two different faunas and floras which seem to run in a line<br />
between Bali and Lombok in the south, threading its way north<br />
between Borneo and Sulawesi. One of his observations was<br />
the sudden difference in bird families he encountered when he<br />
Do you know that all our Assets including banks’ accounts will be frozened upon Death? With OR Without a WILL!!<br />
How do you “unlock” them? A Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration from the High Court. This process applies<br />
to Muslims and Non Muslims.<br />
If you pass on without having a VALID WILL….this is what happens…..<br />
1. Your Family<br />
Your spouse and children will face cash flow problem because all your bank accounts including joint accounts<br />
will be frozen<br />
Your children’s welfare may not be taken care of by the people of your choice<br />
2. The legal Process<br />
Delay in distribution due to the legal administrative process (2 - 6 years)<br />
2 guarantors / sureties required (amount equal or more than deceased’s estate)<br />
Much more costly resulting in financial burdens to your family<br />
3. Your Asset Distribution (As per Distribution Act 1958 amended in 1997) or (Distribution under Faraid)<br />
The law will decide on the distribution of your estate such as house (s), Businesses, bank accounts, shares, etc.<br />
LOVE YOUR FAMILY, WRITE YOUR WILL TODAY AND ENJOY A PEACE OF MIND wherever you maybe… Travelling,<br />
Trekking, Caving, Mountai n Climbing, Diving, Biking, Camping, etc.<br />
Why leave to chance….for more information, please call……<br />
MARY OOI<br />
Professional Estate Planner (Rockwills Corporation Sdn. Bhd.)<br />
Islamic Estate Planner (as-Salihin Trustee Sdn. Bhd.)<br />
H/P: 012-3379906 or email: mary_3_ooi@hotmail.com<br />
sailed some twenty miles east of the island of Bali and landed<br />
on Lombok. On Bali the birds were clearly related to those of<br />
the larger islands of Java and Sumatra and mainland Malaysia<br />
while the birds on Lombok were related to New Guinean and<br />
Australian communities. He marked the channel between Bali<br />
and Lombok as the divide between two great zoogeographic<br />
regions, the Oriental and Australian.<br />
For more information, you can read one of his most<br />
notable works were The Malay Archipelago (1869), which<br />
combined sketches of travel and natural history with a discussion<br />
of evolutionary biology<br />
14
Member’s Report<br />
Coral ID Workshop<br />
Time for a change. I have<br />
been learning to identify birds but I<br />
seemed to have stagnated. Coral identification<br />
caught my eye. Why not?<br />
Since I was starting to indulge into<br />
my new hobby of scuba diving, it was<br />
about time I learnt something about<br />
sea organisms.<br />
On that Saturday morning of<br />
30 May 2009, 20 odd of us gathered<br />
at the compound of MNS HQ, eagerly<br />
awaiting the doors to open. As we settled<br />
down in the auditorium, we were<br />
introduced to... Corals.<br />
What is a coral? Well, the<br />
most asked question as put by Affendi,<br />
the speaker, is whether a coral<br />
is a plant or animal. Well, I came<br />
away from the workshop with new<br />
knowledge that it is an animal but<br />
with plant characteristics due to the<br />
presence of algae living in the coral.<br />
This is one animal that can ‘photosynthesis’.<br />
Affendi presented us with<br />
beautiful slides of corals. Corals not<br />
just in one shape, but all kinds -<br />
branching corals, massive corals,<br />
columnar corals and free-moving<br />
ones, amongst others. We were enlightened<br />
with knowledge of how<br />
fragile the coral ecosystem is and the<br />
main enemy is mankind.<br />
Later, we were divided into<br />
groups and introduced to a Coral ID<br />
software. With the software database<br />
of more than 700 coral species, it<br />
would help in the identification of<br />
coral specimens by selecting the various<br />
characteristics of the coral. We<br />
had a hands-on session with the software<br />
as each group was given a coral<br />
skeleton to identify using the software.<br />
Well, it was not as easy as we<br />
thought it was.<br />
We ended the workshop with<br />
a Q&A session. Affendi shared with<br />
us the value of the coral ecosystem,<br />
with calculations from Tioman as an<br />
example. The digits were too long to<br />
fit into my calculator. It was a frightening<br />
thought, to think of the huge<br />
value that would be lost, if the fragile<br />
coral ecosystems of the world were<br />
destroyed. All in all, the whole session<br />
was fun and definitely a good<br />
learning experience.<br />
- Loh Wan Yeng<br />
(742912-V)<br />
Website: http://www.mymountaingoal.com<br />
Contact : Thong at goalus@mymountaingoal.com<br />
H/P : 016-6375622 Off : 03-40248896<br />
Annapurna Base Camp Trek (4130M) 08/10/2009 to 21/10/2009 (14D13N)<br />
Walk through villages, then<br />
climb through forests into the<br />
Annapurna Sanctuary, a valley<br />
surrounded by high Himalayan<br />
peaks. A great opportunity to get into the mountains without the altitude<br />
problems of the Mt. Everest<br />
This fantastic 10-day trek offers the most spectacular landscape views of the<br />
Himalayas, allowing you to be completely immersed in the heart of the towering Annapurna<br />
range. Altitudes of 4130m are reached, and a reasonable level of physical fitness<br />
is required to comfortably complete this expedition.<br />
Two free training trip will provided for the trip. Further information please<br />
sign in:- http://www.mymountaingoal.com/AnnapurnaRegion.htm<br />
Maliau Basin “Lost World of Sabah, Borneo” 05/11/09 to 09/11/09<br />
The Maliau Basin is one of the most spectacular and pristine natural features in<br />
Malaysia, and indeed, Southeast Asia. The Maliau Basin is almost unvisited and completely<br />
uninhabited by man.<br />
While all of this region is rugged, remote and forested, the Maliau Basin is<br />
distinguished by its steep slopes up to 1,500m in height, making it insurmountable on<br />
foot from most directions. The size of the enclosed Basin is 390 sq. km with a maximum<br />
diameter of 25km. The highest point Mt. Lotung, on the north rim stands at<br />
1900m. It is drained by a set of radiating tributaries of the Maliau River, one of which<br />
descends a series of waterfalls, known as the Maliau Falls.<br />
Further information:- http://www.mymountaingoal.com/maliaubasin.htm<br />
15
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITH<br />
MALAYSIAN NATURE SOCIETY (MNS)<br />
Malaysia’s oldest and largest non-governmental membership-based<br />
environmental organisation seeks individuals who are passionate about the<br />
environment to fill the following positions:<br />
Managing Editor<br />
- Responsible for the management of MNS publications (print and e copy<br />
versions) and its editorial services<br />
- Oversee the sponsorship and budget of MNS publications<br />
- Develop strategies for the promotion and development of MNS publications<br />
- Requirements for the above position<br />
* Excellent editorial judgement and passion in environmental matters<br />
* Good communication and interpersonal skills<br />
* Possess own transport and can work independently<br />
Public Relations Officer<br />
- Responsible to implement MNS Communications plan for the <strong>Society</strong><br />
- Coordinate all internal and external communications materials for the <strong>Society</strong><br />
- Maintain and update information on MNS websites<br />
- Liaison for media and public inquiries<br />
- Requirements for the above position<br />
* Degree in communications, public relations and good knowledge of<br />
media and public relations work<br />
* Basic knowledge of environment and conservation issues required<br />
* Good team player<br />
* Excellent written and verbal skills<br />
Senior Centre Officer<br />
- Responsible for the management and promotion of MNS Centres located in<br />
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor<br />
- Initiate and contribute towards programmes with corporate and schools<br />
- Develop strategies for the promotion and development of MNS Centres<br />
- Requirements for the above position<br />
* Ability to act with initiatives, imagination and resourcefulness<br />
* Proven track record of leading environmental programmes<br />
* Good communication and interpersonal skills<br />
* Possess own transport and can work independently<br />
Programme Coordinator (based in Langkawi)<br />
- Develop and implement programme with corporate, schools and local community<br />
- Wilingness to work during weekends and public holidays<br />
- Involved in conservation and eco-tourism works<br />
- Developing new activities on Environmental Education or awareness<br />
- Requirements for the above position<br />
* Good communication and interpersonal skills<br />
* Possess own transport and can work independently<br />
Working for <strong>Malaysian</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Society</strong> is more than just a job, it’s a passion.<br />
Your duties will allow you to contribute directly towards the conservation<br />
of our natural heritage. If you draw satisfaction in knowing you’ve done something<br />
for nature, please send in a cover letter and CV with three contactable references<br />
and a passport sized photograph (n.r.) not later than 31 August to:<br />
Head of Services<br />
<strong>Malaysian</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />
JKR 641 Jalan Kelantan<br />
Bukit Persekutuan 50480 Kuala Lumpur.<br />
Email: hod.services@mns.org.my<br />
(Only shortlisted candidates will be notified)<br />
16
MNS HQ<br />
JKR 541, Jalan Kelantan,<br />
Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur<br />
(just before the Seri Perdana turn-off on<br />
Jalan Mahameru).<br />
M-F 9am-5:30pm.<br />
T: 03-22879422. F: 03-22878773.<br />
mns@mns.org.my www.mns.org.my<br />
Membership: Leong Wee Chin<br />
JOHOR BRANCH<br />
c/o Prof. Madya Dr. Maketab Mohamed,<br />
No. 90, Jalan Pulai 50,<br />
Taman Pulai Utama, 83100 Johor Bahru.<br />
www.mnsj.org.my<br />
Chair Prof Madya Dr. Maketab Mohd<br />
019-3519866, maketab@fkkksa.utm.my<br />
Vice Chairman Dr. Lum Wei Wah<br />
019-7838388, jefflum@tm.net.my<br />
Secretary Zalinah Sarpan, 013-7722229<br />
Zalinah.sarpan@my.lafarge.com<br />
Treasurer Chern Boon Hong<br />
012-7800023<br />
KEDAH BRANCH<br />
289, Tingkat Bawah, Jln Shahab 1, Shahab<br />
Perdana, 05400 Alor Star, Kedah.<br />
Chairman Phang Fatt Khow<br />
012-3116420, fkphang05@yahoo.com<br />
Vice Chair Kalaimani a/l Supramaniam<br />
019-4733505, maniria@yahoo.com<br />
Secretary Tengku Badrillah bT Abdullah<br />
012-4880090, tbadril@hotmail.com<br />
Treasurer Tan Dek<br />
019-5762823, cptps@tm.net.my<br />
KELANTAN BRANCH<br />
204, Jln Sultan Yahya Petra,15150 Kota<br />
Bharu, Kelantan. shown@tm.net.my<br />
Chairman Tan Kee Leong, Michael<br />
012-9538858, mike1958@streamyx.com<br />
Vice Chair Cheah Sin Chor<br />
012-9567702<br />
Secretary Wong Mei Lin<br />
wmeilin@tm.net.my<br />
Treasurer Evone Lim<br />
evone2meng@yahoo.com<br />
NEGERI SEMBILAN/<br />
MELAKA BRANCH<br />
c/o Cooltek, 350 Jln Woodland,<br />
Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club,<br />
Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka<br />
Chairman Lim Ming Hui<br />
012-2760327, lmh75@tm.net.my<br />
Vice Chair Saffe Mohd Yusof 012-6740054<br />
safe.mohdyusof@exxonmobil.com<br />
Secretary Stephanie Bacon<br />
012-2175590, cooltek@streamyx.com<br />
Treasurer Lee Ah Geok<br />
06-3345666x2116, ahgeoklee@hotmail.com<br />
PAHANG BRANCH<br />
F-4-4, Jalan Padang Golf,<br />
25050 Kuantan. mnspahang@yahoo.com<br />
Chairman Datin Marimah Bt Daud<br />
012-7205383<br />
Vice Chair Mohd Roslan Bin Mohd Rais<br />
019-7124595, mroslan@swss.com.my<br />
Secretary Chow Mee Foong 0199515169<br />
chowmeefoong@yahoo.com<br />
Treasurer Ho Chin Leong<br />
09-5668240<br />
PENANG BRANCH<br />
<strong>Nature</strong> Information Centre (NIC),<br />
673-B Jalan Kebun Bunga,<br />
10350 Penang. T/F: 04 2273673.<br />
Open Mon-Sat, 7.30am - 11.30am (Please<br />
phone before visiting).<br />
www.geocities.com/mnspenang/<br />
Chairman Kanda Kumar<br />
04-2273673, kandakum@tm.net.my<br />
Vice Chairman Hymeir Kamarudin<br />
019-4428926, hymeir@gmail.com<br />
Secretary Lai Ee May 012-5385642,<br />
eemaylai@yahoo.com<br />
Treasurer Foong Swee Yeok<br />
012-5529694, foong_sy@yahoo.com<br />
PERAK BRANCH<br />
PO Box 34, Ipoh Garden Post Office,<br />
31407 Ipoh.<br />
Chairman Leow Kon Fah 019-5634598,<br />
leow_kingfisher@yahoo.com<br />
Vice Chair Ooi Beng Yean<br />
017-5082206, obybeng@streamyx.com<br />
Secretary Tham Yim Fong<br />
012-5220268, yftham@bgi.com.my<br />
Treasurer Har Wai Ming<br />
019-5724113, wm.har@klk.com.my<br />
SABAH BRANCH<br />
Lot F-4-18, Block F, 4th Floor,<br />
Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jln Mat Salleh,<br />
Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu.<br />
mns_sabah@yahoo.com.sg<br />
Chairperson Omar Abdul Kadir<br />
019-8110125, omar_kadir51@yahoo.com<br />
Vice Chair Anna Wong<br />
016-8346808, anna888@ums.edu.my<br />
Secretary Zarinah Waheed<br />
019-8329329, zarinah@ums.edu.my<br />
Treasurer Muhammad Ali Syed Hussein<br />
016-2398111, tilan@yahoo.com<br />
SARAWAK (KUCHING) BRANCH<br />
mnskuching@gmail.com<br />
Chairman Rebecca Jothi D'Cruz<br />
019-8579110, aonyx@pd.jaring.my<br />
Vice Chair Dr Georges Schneider<br />
012-8860033, jwsgmgs@streamyx.com<br />
Secretary Chan Mei Ching, Zora Sharon<br />
019-8279881, zorachan76@yahoo.com<br />
Treasurer Jacinta Wong-Schneider<br />
012-8862911, jwsgmgs@streamyx.com<br />
SARAWAK (MIRI) BRANCH<br />
c/o EPA-T-DGP, Sarawak Shell Bhd,<br />
Jalan Pantai, 98100 Lutong.<br />
mnsmiri@yahoo.com<br />
Chairman Nazeri Abghani<br />
085-453185, mnsmiri@yahoo.com<br />
Acting Secretary Grace Siew Yee Len<br />
085-452585<br />
Treasurer Sim Yuh Thin<br />
SELANGOR BRANCH<br />
c/o MNS HQ address<br />
www.mns.org.my/selangor<br />
mns.selangor@gmail.com<br />
E-group: groups.yahoo.com/group/mnselangor<br />
Chairman Gary Phong<br />
013-3836288, garyphong@netscape.net<br />
Vice Chairman Lim Teck Wyn<br />
016-3619148, twlim@rescu.com.my<br />
Secretary Gan Li Li<br />
012-2074840, pat_ganll@hotmail.com<br />
Treasurer Bernadette Chin<br />
012-6928356, berniechin118@yahoo.com<br />
TERENGGANU BRANCH<br />
1926 Bukit Kubang Jambu,<br />
20050 Kuala Terengganu.<br />
mnsterengganu@gmail.com<br />
Chairman Hj Wan Md Adnan<br />
017-9861926, wadnan@streamyx.com<br />
Vice Chair Anuar Abd McAfee<br />
017-9864177, anuar@ms.kusza.edu.my<br />
Secretary Dr Chong Ju Lian<br />
julianchong78@gmail.com<br />
Treasurer Wee Seng Whatt<br />
019-9363828, swwee@pc.jaring.my<br />
A complete directory of Branch<br />
Committee Members and<br />
Branch Special Interest Groups<br />
(SIGs) can be downloaded at<br />
www.mns.org.my<br />
17
Tigers, continues<br />
News that a number of the<br />
tiger parts seized in Thailand earlier<br />
this year included those of the<br />
Malayan Tiger is depressing, but<br />
hardly surprising.<br />
From Changlun, near the<br />
<strong>Malaysian</strong>-Thai border to Nongkai<br />
province, near the Thai-Lao border,<br />
dismembered tigers have been stacking<br />
up in seizure after seizure around<br />
the region: The first two cases this<br />
year saw Thai authorities confiscate<br />
250kg of tiger parts and then, 11<br />
dead tigers. The most recent case involved<br />
the seizure of 3 kg of tiger<br />
bones in Jeli, Kelantan last month by<br />
the <strong>Malaysian</strong> Wildlife and National<br />
Parks Department.<br />
Seizures were also reported<br />
in May and June throughout the region.<br />
It’s clearly time to admit that<br />
we are fast losing the battle to save<br />
our tigers to an army of smugglers<br />
and poachers intent on killing every<br />
last one. They enter our protected<br />
areas with ease, and illegally trap,<br />
kill and export our wildlife with little<br />
fear. The fact that they are targeting<br />
an animal as large, recognizable<br />
Council Meeting minutes available online<br />
In line with the MNS’s tradition of<br />
promoting transparency and encouraging<br />
feedback and communications amongst its<br />
members and associates, MNS Council<br />
made a historic and important decision recently<br />
to make available a summary of its<br />
Council Meeting minutes through MNS<br />
website www.mns.org.my<br />
A summary of quarterly meetings<br />
(Feb and April 2009) have been uploaded as<br />
a testament of our objectives to serve the<br />
cause and to communicate our objectives<br />
and activities for nature conservation.<br />
Advertising rates: Classifieds: RM5 per column<br />
inch. Quarter page ad: RM30. Half page<br />
ad: RM60. All payments must be made to<br />
“<strong>Malaysian</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Society</strong> Selangor Branch”.<br />
Please bank in cash or cheque to Maybank<br />
MBB account no 014150307352. After banking<br />
in, please scan the slip and e-mail it to<br />
Bernadette Chin at<br />
berniechin118@yahoo.com or fax her at 03-<br />
51928191 (Attention: Bernie Finance).<br />
Discount Rate for ads paid in advance: 3 adverts<br />
paid in advance - 5% off published rate;<br />
6 adverts paid in advance - 10% off published<br />
rate; 9 adverts paid in advance - 15% off published<br />
rate; 12 adverts paid in advance - 20%<br />
off published rate.<br />
Editors<br />
Iska Hashim 03-20732355 (o)<br />
Leong Hon Yuen 03-22742328<br />
Kay Lyons<br />
Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor<br />
MNS President<br />
MNS Library<br />
A modest collection of books and periodicals is housed at the MNS Headquarters. Only fully<br />
paid up members may borrow books for a period of two weeks. This period is renewable. Periodicals<br />
are for use only in the library. Readers wishing periodical articles may have them<br />
photocopied. A small, but growing collection of books for young readers is also available.<br />
Pencinta Alam is a monthly newsletter made possible by dedicated volunteers and<br />
contributors from the <strong>Malaysian</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Society</strong>. Accuracy is the contributor’s responsibility.<br />
The Editor reserves the right to edit for length and content.<br />
Submissions: Articles including the author and photographers’ names (max. 500 words), advertisements,<br />
digital images (100 dpi & no larger than 640x480 pixels & separately from article),<br />
etc. must reach the Editor by the 13th of each month (unless noted otherwise) via the<br />
following e-mail address: tapir2005@gmail.com.<br />
TURN YOUR TRASH<br />
INTO CASH FOR THE NEEDY<br />
Recycle your trash at the following welfare homes<br />
and you stop good money from going to the landfill.<br />
Please donate your aluminium cans, plastic containers, steel cans &<br />
paper (glass not accepted) at the following locations anyday from 8am-<br />
7pm, unless stated otherwise: Klang & Port Klang Pusat Cahaya Kesayangan<br />
(3374-9440), Persatuan Rumah Grace (3166-3500), Pusat<br />
Kasih Sayang (3372-1723), St. Barnabas Home (3372-8191), Rumah<br />
K.I.D.S. (3373-3400) Puchong Pure Life <strong>Society</strong> (7782-9391), Rumah<br />
Charis (7781-5977) Petaling Jaya Spastics Children's Assoc. S'gor &<br />
KL (7958-7106) Selayang Rumah Amal Cheshire (6138-7118)<br />
You may also exchange your recycleables for redemption<br />
coupons at the following locations: Petaling Jaya Taman Jaya, Saturdays<br />
, 5:30-7pm. Johor Baru Giant Cash & Carry, Plentong. Fridays-<br />
Sundays, 3-6pm.<br />
Please clean and dry all your cans and bottles before depositing<br />
at these centers. Please bundle and tie all papers.<br />
TrEES (03-7876 9958) treateveryenvironmentspecial@gmail.com<br />
www.trees.org.my<br />
18