(MY) swiftlets

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New Straits Times » National

No swift rearing in residential areas

 

MALACCA, Aug 13: All swift-rearing activities in residential and heritage

areas in the State have been ordered to cease immediately due to complaints

of noisiness and stench from the bird droppings.

 

This was decided at a recent meeting between the State Executive Council and

Malacca Municipal Council.

 

The council has been receiving many complaints from residents, particularly

in the Jonker Walk area.

 

State Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chair-man Datuk

Wira Poh Ah Tiam said today that the State Government had also come out with

guidelines to regulate the rearing of swifts.

 

Under them, he said swift rearers must obtain prior approval from the

Wildlife and National Parks De-partment and the Malacca Municipal Council.

 

They must also ensure that the buildings where the swifts are nest-ing are

kept clean at all times and all bird droppings are removed.

 

" While we are not against this activity, we want to ensure that it does not

jeopardise the State's image as a tourist destination and a heri-tage

centre.

 

" All rearers in residential and heritage areas must cease operations while

those in other areas must abide by the guidelines, " he added.

 

Last month, Jonker Walk Committee chairman Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong said

that many owners along Jonker Walk had carried out modifications to their

buildings to accommodate swift nests.

 

Some of these owners had even gone to the extent of using sophisticated

equipment to emit specific sounds to attract swifts to nest in their

buildings.

 

On the modification, Poh said the guidelines had stated clearly that all

modification plans must be submitted to the council for approval.

 

However, he said, buildings used as the swifts' nesting ground must not be

less than 100 metres from any residential home, school or place of worship.

 

" For those intending to use sound waves to attract the birds, they must

ensure that the sound does not exceed 65 decibels during the day and 55

decibels at night, " he added.

 

 

 

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