Friday, August 24, 2007

Terrapins facing danger

The Star
Friday August 24, 2007
By CHEN PELF NYOK


SETIU: Sand mining operations at Tebing Pasir Penarik, a prime nesting area for river terrapins here, has upset villagers and a turtle research organisation.

Villagers of Kampung Mangkuk were shocked to learn about the operations, which were launched in the area recently.


Several villagers interviewed by The Star said the mining operations began four days ago and they were worried about the effects on the terrapins, one of the most critically-endangered turtle species.

Village headman Awang Janus said they were told that the project was intended to deepen Sungai Setiu so bigger boats could use the river.

He expressed disgust with the sand mining, saying villagers were not consulted.
The turtle egg collectors were also kept in the dark, he added.


Awang said the sand mining would also endanger the homes located nearby as there would likely be massive erosion.

Prof Chan Eng Heng, who heads the Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, was also upset to hear of the sand mining operations.

He said river terrapins would never return to nest in the area if the banks were destroyed.
“If this continues, the river terrapin population will be greatly affected, and they will become extinct in less than 10 years,” added Prof Chan, who has been running a river terrapin recovery programme for Sungai Setiu since 2004.


Another typical Bolehland episode:
While efforts were being done to protect the terrapin, the greedy goes for the sand. Photos below showed the amount of sands along Sg Setiu in 2006. The terrapins will be gone very soon.



Changes to curb illegal logging

The Star
Friday August 24, 2007
By C.A. ZULKIFLE

TUMPAT: Tagging trees with radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and raising the reward for information are two of several sweeping changes being considered to curb illegal logging.

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Sazmi Miah said other moves being considered included allowing the ferrying of timber only during the day.

He said on his road journey back to Kota Baru from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, he counted 70 trailers ferrying logs at night.

He said he would also propose that the movement of trailers be done on a fixed schedule to enable effective monitoring of their cargo.

The proposed hours would be from 10am to 5pm daily, he said after opening a Merdeka carnival at SK Kampung Laut here.

Sazmi said previously, forest rangers faced difficulty in determining if the logs chopped down were from restricted zones, so RFID technology could help them overcome the problem.

He would propose that RFID tags be fitted to tree trunks in selected zones of forest reserves, especially in areas prone to illegal logging.

“Some of the logs obtained illegally are sent extremely fast to wood processing factories, before the authorities can react.”

He said the ministry was studying how the mechanism of illegal logging worked, from the modus operandi of loggers to the transporters and factory operators.

Sazmi acknowledged that illegal loggers continued to operate beneath the radar of detection imposed by the authorities.

He said the ministry would check to determine if there were insiders aiding illegal logging syndicates.

Public information was also crucial, and the ministry hoped to increase the rewards offered, he said.

He added that illegal logging must be stopped immediately because its effects on the environment were lingering. Most of the rivers in Kelantan, he said, were polluted due to siltation caused by over-logging in hilly terrain.

He was also worried that floods, a usual occurrence during the year-end monsoon, could worsen due to excessive logging.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Penang Canopy Walk - July 2007

Good News - The Penang Canopy Walkway was reopened on July 15.

Entrance is now RM5 per adult and RM3 per child.


The walkway, 327m above ground level, was built by the Public Works Department (JKR) and opened to the public in October 2002. It was misteriously closed in September 2005 siting the termite problems. Now, it seemed the JKR had been consulted to rectify the situation and had ensure the walkway was safe. Penang Tourism authority said the work was carried out 8 to 9 months ago to strengthen the ropes and certain connective points.


"Its SAFE"! But why was it not safe for the last 2 years???
The man on the left could have instrumented the reopening.
Do you know who is manning the canopy now? Its the man!


A concerned Penangite wrote to the STAR to question about the safety.
Nothing was seen to indicate repair work was done.


This is what it looks like today.

The starting point of the canopy walkway.
Nothing new.


I don't see any traces of termite.

On closer look at one of the tree, I could see that there wasn't any
indication of repair works- not even new ropes as was reported in
the newspaper.
Extracted from Star (Jul 2, 07) :- "Work was carried out eight to nine months ago
to strengthen the ropes and certain connective points,” ...
Look carefully - I don't see the layer of wooden blocks being loosen
for the tree to expand...as you can see the leaves litter and cobweb.
FYI, I have seen many canopy walkways being repaired.
You can see signs of work if repairs or maintenances are done.

The extended horizontal wooden beams were coated
with lichens. They were never replace.



Even the ropes are not new - being exposed to natural elements.
Are they safe?



This was the only sensible work I saw during my visit there.
The wooden flooring being expanded to accomodate the
growing tree trunk.



This picture was taken in Dec 2006.

The statement that repair works was done "8 to 9 months ago" was made on 17 Jul 07.
Canopy walkway reopened on 15 Jul 07.
Eight months before 17 Jul 07 should be 17 Nov 06.
So how can a picture taken on mid Dec 2006 still shows no sign of work???
The bull must be shitting!


<<<<<<<<<<Flash Back - Before Closure in 2005>>>>>>>>>>>>

Is this the reason for the closure?

Penang Hill - Destruction to Ecosystem

My email to the Director of Forestry Department of Penang on 8 Aug, 2007.

To:
Pengarah
Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pulau Pinang
Tingkat 20, Blok Menara
Bangunan Komtar
10000 Pulau Pinang

Dear Sir,

I am not a resident of Penang Hill but I am making this report to you as I am sadden by the destruction and raping of Penang Hill. These happened around the area between Canopy Walk-Methodist-Brother's Bungalow. I was told by the foreigner workers that a road will be built down to Air Itam? (I have yet to use the trail down and therefore can't give you that report).



How many steep slopes will be damaged were yet to be known until the next wet season. I can assure you that by the next wet season, Forestry Dept will have alot of headaches with massive landslides (along hill trails) and possible mudslide at Air Itam town and thus damaging the tourism trade???

These are some of the destruction observed:


Picture taken beside the exit of Canopy Walk.



1. There were many trees being chopped. The healthy tree near the Canopy Walk was chopped for no apparent reason. I was told it was a healthy tree. And on checking the logs found (pictures attached) there weren't any decay! Can anybody cut trees in Penang Hill without Forestry Dept approval....or do they have your blessing??

2. Steep slopes - many with 90 deg. slopes. Attached a photo of a tree almost hanging and waiting for the next wet season to cause accident.

3. Foreign workers harvesting our forest (trees and possible animals) for food as well as herbal use. See last photo.

Trees chopped and burnt. Found at the junction of Summit Rd to Methodist Centre.



Trail from Summit Rd to Brother's Bungalow is now a "highway".



Hanging tree. 90 deg hill cutting.


The identity of the heritage trail - Moniot Trail is lost forever.
A vertical drop to the newly constructed road to Brother's Bungalow.


Vertical drop to the bottom. Note the heritage trail on the right of this photo.



Illegal hut of the construction workers along Jln Viaduct West.

Primitive Toilet by foreigners - could it cause outbreak
of imported diseases to Penang Hill?



Massive tree cuttings along Jln Viaduct West

Tree mained by foreigners in search of herbal value.
Wonder how many trees and animals in
Penang Hill were harvested by them.


Please take necessary action
Thank you
Forest Ang

------------------REPLY BELOW--------------------
Date : Aug 8, 2007 5:38 PM

Thank for your comment. Forestry Department observed that all kind of activities done in Owner land not in Forest Reserved. That why, I cannot take any legal action on damaging , cutting or chopping the tree in owner land. To be make sure all activities out side our Forest Reserved, we already engage land surveyer and within 2 weeks we can get the results on it. If that activities clasiffied under enchrochment , we will bring to the court under National Forestry Act.
TQ

-------My Reply to him: -------
Thank you sir for your reply.
Do you mean that if it is my land, I can do whatever I like even if the mudflow will affect people downstream?
Even the hanging tree could kill some hikers who pass by the trail?
Please understand that by surfacing the trail with cement, water will rush down during raining season. There are no proper drainage seen. Who will be responsible for eventual silting and flooding at the foothill?
What about the heritage trail called Moniot Trail which was declared open by our Governor in 1989? Its identity gone forever. I thought when you have a heritage, it should be preserved forever.
With your reasoning, I think so long as it is a private property, I can do whatever I like.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Thank you
Forest Ang
------His reply in to me:-------
Date : Aug 10, 2007 8:01 AM

Do you mean that if it is my land, I can do whatever I like even if the mudflow will affect people downstream?
Yes.

Even the hanging tree could kill some hikers who pass by the trail?
If Your land I cant do any thing

Please understand that by surfacing the trail with cement, water will rush down during raining season. There are no proper drainage seen.
Which area you talking about. If my Forest Area, I will take action on that matter.
Who will be responsible for eventual silting and flooding at the foothill?
If foothil fall under my Forest Area, I will take action . If not , the action depend on status lands. If that land under your own land, you can take action.

What about the heritage trail called Moniot Trail which was declared open by our Governor in 1989? Its identity gone forever. I thought when you have a heritage, it should be preserved forever.
"identity gone forever" . That statement I Cant accept. Last 2 months, I went there and walk through the moniot road and I found all spesies are there include new species I found like Strycnos ignatii . Can you tell me what spesies are gone forever. I waiting for your answer, Please.

With your reasoning, I think so long as it is a private property, I can do whatever I like.
Yes. Can I go to your land and do what ever I like?

Correct me if I am wrong.
Yes. You are totally wrong.

Thank you Forest Ang
Yes, Thank You Forest Department.
---------------My Conclusion--------------------
I think I have wasted my time reporting this issue. I rest my case. I don't even stay in Penang Hill and Air Itam and why should I care about the damage to the ecosystem while others stay there don't take a hood about it!
Forest Ang
10 Aug 07, 10.08pm