FWD: Just the spark we need to protect nature’s wonders

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This article is from The Star Online

URL:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/8/26/focus/8743700 & sec=focus

 

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Thursday August 26, 2004

Just the spark we need to protect nature’s wonders

 

 

FIRSTLY, I would like to congratulate The Star for being at the forefront of

environmental journalism.

 

Your recent articles on Tasik Chini and the fireflies coupled with your weekly

environment articles in StarTwo are well researched and objective.

 

Twenty years ago, scientists had warned the loss of beaches to development and

the continued consumption of turtle eggs will lower the turtle count in

Malaysian waters.

 

Today, leatherback turtle landings are fewer than 100 per year while

successful hatchlings have not been recorded in the last few years.

 

Worse still, the once common hawksbill turtle is now also in danger of

extinction.

 

A little less than 10 years ago, scientists and NGOs had warned about the

threats to the fireflies. The fireflies of Kuala Selangor are only one of two

colonies in the world, which flash synchronously.

 

Previously, this phenomenon occurred along 6km of the Sungai Selangor. Today,

they are barely visible in two spots along the river.

 

Today, a controversy is raging on Pulau Tioman. Previously labelled as one of

the most beautiful islands in the world, Tioman now lives in the shadow of

having been scarred by development.

 

Adding insult to injury, plans are already afoot to put in a multi billion

ringgit marina and new airstrip. Coral reefs have been earmarked for destruction

and locals are being asked to leave.

 

If we are to repeat these mistakes notwithstanding the vindicating evidence of

recent past, then we deserve to be called a third world nation.

 

How ironic it is that while we can build skyscrapers, high tech townships,

bridges kilometres long and put satellites in orbit, we can still fail to

protect a colony of fireflies which is so unique in the world.

 

 

 

THE DUGONG DUDE,

 

Kuala Lumpur.

 

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