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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

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