The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Ringlet residents express concern over encroachment activities
- Christmas spirit ala Gangnam style
- Council to revive mangrove forest
| Ringlet residents express concern over encroachment activities Posted: 19 Dec 2012 06:21 PM PST CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Residents in Ringlet here have unearthed illegal land clearing at the Habu water catchment area after similar encroachment activities were detected at some forest reserve sites in the popular highlands about two months ago. Several of them have expressed their concern and highlighted the matter to their village chiefs and elected representative. StarMetro was made to understand that some farmers from Brinchang were behind the move, having illegally cleared about 20 acres of land adjacent to the catchment area, paving the way for cultivation. It is learnt that land clearing activities had started several months ago in small scale and done discreetly to avoid detection. Several residents found out about it in late November after trekking up to the site before taking some pictures of the bare land. A tractor was still seen at the site but other heavy machinery have since been removed. They fear that if the situation was left unchecked and the illegal farm allowed to proceed, it could pollute their water source with fertiliser, human waste and other harmful chemicals. The Habu water catchment, about 5km from Ringlet, is the main water source, providing supply to about 15,000 residents in Ringlet, Bertam Valley and Habu. Bertam Valley village chief Wong Fok Choy said he had been informed of the situation by several villagers. "I am aware of the matter and in the midst of gathering more information and evidence. "If it is true, I hope the authorities will act promptly to investigate and bring the culprits to book," he told StarMetro. A resident Kam Kim Tho said at times, water supply to his second-floor Aster Court apartment was murky. "We have also experienced water disruption almost every month. "When it rains, murky water flows out from our taps," said the mother of four children, aged between seven and 16. Kam said she had been staying in Ringlet for 15 years and the situation was getting from bad to worse over the years. She said during school holidays and festive seasons, she had to store water for daily consumption due to low water pressure. "We can observe dirt and other particles at the bottom of the pails and it is not conducive for cooking and drinking. I believe there is just too much development and pollution happening here," she lamented. Tanah Rata assemblyman Datuk Ho Yip Kap said he had brought up the matter to the district action council and the other relevant authorities such as the district Water Supply Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department as well as during the recent state assembly sitting. "According to the laws, there should be no development and human activities near a water catchment. We want stricter enforcement to safeguard the green lungs and other sensitive areas," he said, adding that areas which were illegally cleared should be replanted with greenery. Ho said residents were worried that harmful chemicals could seep into the water catchment site and pollute the water source. Meanwhile, Cameron Highlands district officer Datuk Ahmad Daud said he had directed his officers to investigate the matter. "We would deploy a team to check the situation at the site immediately," he said in an SMS reply. In early October, The Star highlighted in a series of reports that land was being cleared rampantly in forest reserve areas in Cameron Highlands, causing concern to residents. They complained that their source of water was being affected and fear the exposed slopes will face erosion in bad weather, triggering a repeat of the Aug 2011 tragedy which saw seven people perished and homes destroyed in an orang asli settlement in Kampung Sungai Ruil. Regional Environmental Association Cameron Highlands president R. Ramakrishnan claimed that illegal land-clearing was happening in many areas in the highlands namely Mensun Valley, Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Kampung Taman Sedia. He said such activities started early this year but the situation had worsened over the last four months. |
| Christmas spirit ala Gangnam style Posted: 19 Dec 2012 06:20 PM PST MALACCA: The parody of the worldwide hit Gangnam Style took center stage during a Christmas celebration at Malacca International School (MIS). Themed "Joy of Sharing", the school's management modified the lyrics of South Korean singer Psy rendered hit to rekindle the Christmas mood among the guests including representatives of other local education institution. MIS students sung Christmas carols and dance to the tune of "oppagangnam style song" keeping the guests mesmerised during the event recently. The event also saw children from the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir here appearing as Santa Crews to cheer up the celebration. Parents of MIS students also participated in the event by offering their Christmas delicacies and cuisines to the guests. During the event, MIS wanted to do their part for the unprivileged when they decided to donate money that was garnered through fund-raising effort to a private welfare home here. The fund was collected through sales of Christmas cookies and cards that were sold at MIS during a fair, recently. The donation of RM5,000 was handed over to Happiness Centre, a home for physically and mentally challenged children and adults, here. The donation was presented by MIS director Shamsunnisa Abdul Jabbarto Founder of Happiness Centre to Roy Collar while the presentation was witnessed by Dr Jeffery Louis, the principal of MIS. Dr Louis when met later said MIS held a separate Christmas do at the private home, a day before the celebration at the school, "This when we decided to hand over the donation to the home, our students also gained an insight on how the disabled were nursed during our visit that indeed was a valuable experience for all of us, he added. |
| Council to revive mangrove forest Posted: 19 Dec 2012 06:20 PM PST MALACCA: The Malacca Historical City Council is set to rehabilitate the mangrove forest at the Portuguese Settlement to its past glory by planting some 2,500 trees recently. City-councillor Ronald Gan said experts on conservation and estuarine research mooted the idea to revive the black mangroves along the stretch overlooking the Straits of Malacca. "I presented the proposal to Mayor Datuk Zainal Abu and he supported the idea and helped source for the right species of trees,'' he said, adding that development projects had adversely affected the area. He added that the project will also see the construction of new culverts and underground tidal channels. Gan said some 250 volunteers from the World Mission Society of God will be involved in the replanting exercise. "These volunteers also brought the Yuletide mood during the gotong-royong styled event," he said. Rehabilitation of the site is crucial as mangroves perform multiple ecological functions. "They are an important resource for coastal communities," he noted. Mangroves also protect coastlines against dangerous waves and prevents saltwater from entering rivers. "They also remove toxicants through a natural filtering process and are a breeding ground for many types of fish, crabs, prawns and other marine species," said Gan. |
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