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Chairman’s
Notes
The AGM was held in Kuching
in early September. A great variety of trips attracted about 100
members and a good time was had by all. I missed the events, but
attended the meeting at tiny Bako National Park, just a 40-minute
taxi ride from Kuching, where bearded pigs wandered freely around
the compound. The necessary order of business took the entire day,
but as it was not an election year, that was one less item to
include.
A major cause for concern for the
society is to maintain a credible public profile now that our
flagship project Endau-Rompin has been completed. The good news is
that our relationship with Endau is not yet over. There will be
another expedition to the western area, in the foothills of the
main range that has not been studied scientifically before and is
prime rhino habitat. Hopefully soon we will have a firm plan in
place, but we are required to raise money to send scientists and a
corps of volunteers to support them. I understand that the Johor
government will provide one ringgit for every ringgit we can raise
for this effort. I think this opportunity is just what we need to
refocus MNS on our mission.
The Society is more than
just activities, and I was recently reminded that the mission
statement of MNS is to “promote the study, appreciation,
conservation and protection of Malaysia’s natural heritage
focusing on biological diversity and sustainable development”.
Unfortunately, most members see just the activities, and once they
have sampled them all, they decide it is not worth their while to
continue on as a member, and thus, allow their involvement with
conservation to lapse. I urge everyone, even if you personally
don’t go on the outings, to maintain your membership and be an
active supporter of this mission statement just by being a member.
There’s bad news that there’s a
whisper the Highland Road is going ahead without any fanfare. The
information has been vague so far, but it should be a warning that
we need to be prepared to counter this development. There is a
community group in Cameron Highlands that is being nurtured by MNS
and WWF Malaysia, and hopefully this group will be able to
represent the wider community in dealing with the environmental
and development problems faced by highland areas.
Our search for a Conservation
Officer has generated literally hundreds of applications, through
which we are currently sifting. Plans are on target for the
improved accommodation in Jalan Kelantan, and Selangor Branch will
have its own meeting room with a separate entrance as well as
access to the library and common facilities. The budget is
limited, and a big chunk will go to repairing the roof, so if any
member has access to building or interior materials like carpets
or furniture, a friendly introduction or sponsorship would be most
welcome.
The newsletter will be covering the
activities of the Council and HQ successively each month to keep
members informed of developments. As for the web site, it is an
exciting development, currently being built with the assistance of
DAGS funding. It will encompass all aspects of HQ, the branches
and the SIGs entirely on one site. It is currently accessible on
line at www.mns.org.my and although far from finished, it offers a
glimpse of what is to come.
Best wishes to our Hindu members for
Deepavali.
Angela Hijjas
Campaigning
for the Environment
“The
MNS is a society of like-minded people who subscribe to MNS
objectives which I would summarise (as) the study, appreciation,
education and conservation of nature.”
–
Heah Hock Heng, member since 1985.
In
conjunction with the MNS advertisement campaign that was recently
launched in the media, a series of articles will be published in
the next few months showing members how their membership fees and
other donations help the MNS in its work.
MNS
depends on members
and donors to run their various projects, educational programmes
and to manage several nature education centres and parks. As one
can see, nature conservation is the work of many and members can
continually help MNS by renewing their membership and/or
introducing friends to become members. RM60 a year (or RM50 if
renewing) is all it takes for individuals to make a difference.
This
month’s spotlight is on the Science & Conservation
Department.
The
Department has seven officers involved in both research and
projects, and issues of conservation interest. Each person is in
charge of a project, but everyone helps one another in order to
diversify their expertise.
Projects
currently in progress include the Sungai Selangor Firefly Study
(species and habitat research), the Ulu Geroh Local Community
Conservation Training (community-based conservation), Asian
Conservation Awareness Program (public education), Forestry Policy
(policy and advocacy), and Blueprint for Conservation.
“Our
most important project is the Sungai Selangor Firefly Study which
we’re now finalising the report for the state government,”
said Nik Mohd Maseri, Head of Science & Conservation
Department. “We study the impact of the dam and the water
abstraction on the ecology of lower Sungai Selangor.”
The
department also tackles conservation issues such as highland
development, mangrove conservation along the Tebrau coast,
protection of migratory birds and endangered species, and solid
waste management.
Famous
for its 1985 Endau-Rompin Heritage and Scientific Expedition, the
department is happy to see the recently completed Endau-Rompin
Nature Education and Research Centre (NERC), which MNS was the
project consultant for. The Johor National Park Corporation has
since assumed responsibility of the NERC and has absorbed six MNS
staff. Special projects including a proposed scientific expedition
in 2002 will ensure that MNS will be continually involved in
Endau-Rompin.
–
H.Y. Leong
Next
month: Education Department of MNS.
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