Environment Malaysia

Happy New Year, everybody..

2012-01-01T18:24:00.001+08:00

Let's recap some of the biggest environmental news from last year and tell me what you think...

http://news.mongabay.com/2011/1222-top_10_2011.html

No Bottled Water Campaigns

2011-12-27T00:09:00.000+08:00

Kudos to Pullman Putrajaya Hotel and One Utama Shopping Centre (OU) which have taken moves to discourage the use of bottled water on their premises.

Pullman offers plain water in tanks set at the back of the room while OU have put up signs encouraging people to refill their own bottles at the refill stations in the complex.

It would be better, though, at Pullman, if the water was put in a more strategic location. As it is, I didn't see the water station until the later part of the day, and I was quite dehydrated since there was no water on the tables. I did have my bottle and I could have refilled it if I knew where the station was. Probably a spot near the entrance would be a better choice.

IN OU I didn't check where the refill station was, but it seemed to be in a hidden corner somewhere. It would be good to eventually offer more stations in the huge complex.

Anyways, it's a step in the right direction and I hope more establishments follow suit :-)

Carbon Trading

2011-12-02T13:53:00.000+08:00

Looking at the development of REDD+, I wonder if it will die the same death as previous carbon trading efforts. Does it really make sense? Is there enough money in the world to feed those who deforest to make a living? Why then, are large companies still allowed to convert large tracts of valuable rainforest and peatlands into monocultures of oil palm and acacia? What about smallholders looking to make a living? Would there be enough to compensate for their opportunity cost of NOT planting commercial crops?

Yes, there are many problems causing this complicated cycle of deforestation, but let's look at the other side of the coin, shall we?

What are the 'developed' countries doing other than trying to buy off poorer countries at pitiful prices? Stop developing, basically that's what they're saying. They're not giving practical solutions, they're trying to salvage their conscience with a few cents thrown to the poor. Why aren't the 'rich' countries reforesting their depleted lands? Why aren't they committing to reduce their carbon footprint? How much CO2 is released from their endless baking and driving? Compare that to CO2 released from villages which don't even have electricity except from generators at night.

What the world needs is a more comprehensive solution to a complex problem. I really don't think Carbon trading is the answer to the global warming problem.

Disclaimer: These are merely my basic thoughts based on incomplete information. I'm not saying the rich are bad, it's just that we need to take a more comprehensive solution to this problem.

Tiger parts seized during restaurant raid

2011-03-18T16:56:00.004+08:00

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16th March 2011—A restaurant owner could face RM600,000 (USD196,000) in fines and time in jail after authorities found him in possession of meat and parts of several protected species including several pieces of dried Tiger parts.

Perhilitan Pahang Director, Khairiah Mohd Shariff displays animal parts—some of them Tiger—found during a raid on a restaurant Click photo to enlarge © TRAFFIC Southeast Asia

Officers from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Pahang, a state on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, found close to 17 kilogrammes of Common Barking Deer meat, two skinned Mouse Deer, 54 Argus Pheasant feathers, a White-breasted Waterhen when they raided the man’s house and shop in a raid yesterday (15th March).

The dried Tiger parts were found in a sealed glass jar along with dried parts of several other animals, which will be sent for forensic analysis.

The find of Tiger parts in the suspect’s possession is significant because his village of Kubang Rusa in Merapoh, lies within the country’s most important Tiger corridor, said Pahang Perhilitan Director Khairiah Mohd Shariff.

This corridor, Sungai Yu, is a critical link between the Taman Negara national park and the Main Range, two of Malaysia’s most important Tiger landscapes, as identified in the country’s Tiger Conservation Action Plan.

The suspect is a second-time offender, having been convicted in 2008 for possession of Barking Deer meat without a permit. He could face two charges under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for keeping the Tiger parts and Argus Pheasant feathers without a permit. Unlawful possession of some totally protected species such as Tigers, also carries a mandatory jail requirement under this law.

The suspect also faces another three charges under Section 60 of the same Act for keeping the protected White-breasted Waterhen and exotic meats without a permit. He is out on bail pending trial.

In two other operations this month, Perhilitan Pahang seized Wild Boar meat from two houses in the town of Triang and are expected to charge two local men and a woman for being in possession of the meat without a licence. And earlier in February, officers also seized a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and two Blue-crowned Hanging-parrots from a man in the town of Janda Baik.

All suspects face heavy fines under the new law which came into force last December.

So far this year Perhilitan Pahang has also seized four guns from people who have committed hunting offences in the State, including one home-made gun.

Khairiah expressed concern over the abuse of weapons for illegal hunting and told a press conference that the Department would not hesitate to use its powers under the new law to confiscate guns under these circumstances and seek police assistance to revoke an offender’s licence to carry and use a gun.

"It is wildlife traders such as this one that have given Malaysia a reputation as being a poaching hotspot and trade hub. These criminals are posing a serious threat to the continual survival of many increasingly threatened species," says TRAFFIC Southeast Asia's Regional Deputy Director Chris R. Shepherd.

"The authorities are to be applauded for taking action, especially in such a critical Tiger landscape. TRAFFIC urges the authorities to penalize this man and others like him to the full extent of the law to deter further such crime, and to demonstrate just how serious they are about protecting Malaysia's natural heritage," he said.

Wildlife Crime Hotline

2011-03-05T06:44:00.000+08:00

Did you know that you can report all sorts of wildlife crime to the authorities by calling just one number? Grab your phone and save this one:

Wildlife Crime Hotline: 019- 356 4194

It's run by the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT), and reports will be forwarded to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP aka PERHILITAN) or other relevant agencies.

Now, mind that you don't call just to test if it's real. It is. And please don't call to report non-wildlife related stuff. A stray dog is not wildlife; call SPCA or your municipal council regarding that.

They would want to know if someone is setting up snares in a nearby forest reserve, or trapping birds in your local kiddie park. You can let them know if there is a panther loose in the housing estate. Tell them about the auntie selling bear paw soup under a tree. Or a traditional medicine shop selling pangolin scales and that uncle selling tiger claw amulets in the pasar malam. Illegal trade of endangered species like star tortoises in pet shops are important too.

Before you call, make sure you have the necessary details so that the authorities can take immediate action. They'll need to know

1. What is the nature of the crime? Is it illegal hunting? Poaching? Trade? Be specific.

2. Where? Let them know exactly where the dodgy dealings are so that the authorities can find it to take action.

3. When? Tell them the time and date you saw the crime. It would help if the crime did not happen four months ago.

Now that you know, be sure to use the number to help curb wildlife crime.

Interested in Protecting our Tigers?

2011-03-01T09:42:00.000+08:00

Join CAT trips with the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT). Registration is open now. Visit their FB note at http://www.facebook.com/notes/mycat/citizen-action-for-tigers-cat-in-sungai-yu-pahang/197284320299621 for more details. Hurry, now!!

Where Have You Been?

2011-02-26T09:12:00.000+08:00

Yeah, yeah... I'm a lazy blogger. Have been working quite a lot, although not as insanely as I was at the magazine. Just catching up with things, you know...

Anyway, it's quite an interesting time for nature enthusiasts right now. Raptor Watch is just round the corner. To be held on 12 & 13th March this year, the annual event has always been held in Tanjung Tuan, in March, right around springtime, when the raptors are migrating back to their native Siberia from the lower reaches of the earth. That means Australia and parts of Indonesia where they have been biding their time, away from the bitter cold of their homelands, until they can return to breed in the summer.

So in March, they begin their long and arduous journey back to their nesting sites, flying over the islands of Java, Sumatera, across the Straits of Malacca to Peninsular Malaysia and further up through Thailand and beyond. So why is this interesting for us?

Because in Tanjung Tuan, and along the PD coast, the birds fly very low when they arrive from across the sea. Tired from the long flight without any air currents to lift them, the birds are low enough to be seen with the naked eye. And the sight they make as they spiral in groups to gain height is something that should not be missed.

OK. I need to make a move now. For more information, visit the RWW website at http://www.raptorwatch.org/. Cheers!!

Tiger Conservationists Laud New Wildlife Law

2011-01-15T08:01:00.002+08:00

Kuala Lumpur,7^th January 2011 - MYCAT, a conservation alliance of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Wildlife Conservation Society - Malaysia Programme and WWF-Malaysia, welcomes the announcement by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) on the coming into force of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

The much awaited Act with stronger provisions against offenders is a breakthrough in the fight against wildlife crime in Malaysia.

Malaysia has in recent years seen a sizeable increase in wildlife crime; and in 2010 saw some successes, with various raids and some prosecutions. The new Act must now function as a crucial tool for DWNP to further enhance its efforts in addressing various forms of wildlife crime in the country. The Act now also allows other enforcement agencies (in addition to DWNP) to be empowered to take action against wildlife crimes.

The current heightened penalties and enhanced prison terms when imposed will undoubtedly be a deterrent to poachers, smugglers and illegal wildlife traders. Hunting a totally protected animal, such as the Malayan Tiger, now carries a maximum fine of RM500,000. In addition, anyone caught setting, placing or using a snare will face a fine of at least RM50,000, and will have to spend at least one night in jail.

The effectiveness of any law lies ultimately in its successful implementation which involves the entire chain from competent gathering of information, investigation, enforcement, prosecution to sentencing. Every part of the chain must deliver to the public’s expectations. Disproportionately light sentences meted out for serious offences should be a thing of the past.

MYCAT pledges its continued support and commitment to enforcement agencies, to ensure that the law is used to its fullest extent in protecting Malaysia’s precious wildlife.

We firmly believe joint initiatives by all concerned groups and relevant authorities would greatly expedite much needed actions that will demonstrate Malaysia’s seriousness about protecting its wildlife. We urge the administrative and judicial arms of the government to exert their full powers in the war to protect our nature from further exploitation and abuse.

-END.

For further information, please contact:

Noor Azura Ahmad, Communications Officer, MYCAT Secretariat’s Office

Tel: 03-7880 3940 (O), 019-267 4896 (M); Email: azura@malayantiger.net

Should plastic bags be totally banned and replaced with paper bags?

2011-01-10T06:39:00.000+08:00

http://polls.thestar.com.my/polls/result.asp?id=341&cid=2&cdesc=News

There's a poll on The Star, and I chose NO. Why? Because replacing plastic with paper is like saving petrol and burning down the forest! The better option is to use reusable bags, which is what is currently being promoted. It should stay that way. America has been using paper bags and they're among the worst environmental offenders today... (no offence to the Americans..)

While paper bags are biodegradable, their production
1) uses wood, which means chopped up trees. Even if they're 'recycled', paper is never 100% recycled. There is always new pulp in the mix.
2) uses massive amounts of water and electricity - contributing to water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

Plus,
3) They're more expensive to produce
4) They're heavier to transport.
5) They can't be reused much. At least plastic bags can be used to bag up garbage and line bins.

What we should do is to reduce plastic bag consumption, not replace them with paper. What say you?

2010-12-29T11:17:00.001+08:00

Wildlife Act takes effect in peninsula and Labuan

By M. SHAMINEE
sham@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 has been fully enforced in the peninsula and Labuan as of yesterday.

The Act, which was passed by Parliament in August, has a wider scope and jurisdiction in the protection of more wildlife species and activities related to wildlife.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) said in a statement yesterday that with the Act fully enforced, it would have better control on all wildlife species, wildlife derivatives, hybrid species and invasive alien species.

Perhilitan, it said, would also have the jurisdiction to address issues on wild animal welfare and cruelty.

“The new law will be more deterrent and provides stringent penalties and punishment for poaching and other wildlife crimes,” it said.

The new penalties include fines of up to RM500,000 with jail term of not more than five years while the minimum penalty imposed for several offences is not less than RM5,000.

The new Act also provides mandatory jail sentence for a term not exceeding five years and a fine not less than RM100,000 and not more than RM500,000 for offences involving protected wildlife such as tigers, rhinoceros, serow (a type of goat), gaur (seladang), leopard, clouded leopard and false gharial (a type of freshwater crocodile).

It also provides for the director-general of Perhilitan to appoint any public officer to exercise the powers of enforcement.

The Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) can be viewed atwww.wildlife.gov.my.

What a Pest..

2010-05-16T08:17:00.001+08:00

You know, I always thought of siput babi as just another inhabitant in my garden. They don't really damage my plants, I'm not sure what they're doing in my garden at all. But recently, I've found them actually EATING my mail! They bite the sides and make holes in the paper.

I opened my mailbox yesterday and went "WHAT THE???" They seem to favour electricity and water bills, maybe because of the thin paper. Imagine telling the utility company, "Oh, I'm sorry, the snails ate my bill".

The card on top - envelope had been completely ingested. I had to crack open the card to see who it's for. Er.. isn't there anything else in the garden worth eating? It's a bit overgrown, but I'm sure there's something tastier to eat there other than my mail... Hafta check the box more often, I guess.

By the way, found a pile of bare seeds and what looks like messy scat all over the front porch too. Not sure what fruit it was, but seems to have had the flesh bitten clean off. Didn't have my camera then, so will probably stop by again to take pictures. Suspecting a civet, treeshrews never left any mess before.

Guess what's in my freezer right now...

2010-05-16T07:52:00.000+08:00

Was driving back from Uptown yesterday afternoon when I saw a big ball of feathers on the road. Picked it up and took it home where I IDed it as a crested goshawk, adult. I don't know what happened. The gut is busted, so there must have been some kind of impact involved. Amazingly it hadn't been run over by any of the many cars on that road. Body was still warm when I picked up the bird, but it was already gone. So sad that such a beautiful specimen died...

Force of Habit

2010-05-11T11:54:00.000+08:00

We have lots of water, thanks to the fact that we're a tropical paradise with regular downpours. What we forget is that tap water is not free. It takes a lot of processes and money to make the water clean and safe for our consumption. Therefore, a lot of people take water for granted and waste it.

One most common habit is letting the tap run while we soap the dishes or brush our teeth. I've stopped doing these, but I recently realised that I was still being wasteful - by not using a cup for rinsing after brushing. I've stayed with the age-old habit of cupping my hands to catch the water for that. While I'm doing it, the tap is running, and I thought, "Goodness, how much water am I wasting doing THAT?"

So I decided to try and change. Found an old melamine mug and put it near the sink. First few times it felt weird not rinsing with running water, but it's getting more familiar now. See if it helps any. BTW, my water bill at the tiny apartment is huge compared to the old house. Mainly because of the high charges. The old house was minimal, plus there is this govt subsidy for the first few cubic metres of water, so it was actually free! Nothing like money to make people change, eh?

Happy Earth Day! Tiger Time...

2010-04-23T14:21:00.000+08:00

Eeps! It's already the last day of the tiger blogfest!! And I haven't even started yet!! My bad.. but I have a valid excuse. Job hunting and project work comes before blogging, so there. BTW, Earth Day was yesterday, 22nd April. I just HAD to finish something so I couldn't blog until today. Livelihood is on the line, you know.

Anyway, have posted something on PausBiru, so that takes care of one segment of my readers - namely some close friends. This one will be published on FB, so hopefully it will reach a wider audience. Unfortunately, am no celebrity blogger, just a greenie geek who happens to enjoy writing in her spare time.

Well, what else do we say about the tiger? Maybe some 'interesting' beliefs about the tiger and the reason they are poached so extensively?

Like...

1) Tiger penis wine makes you ... er... erm.. you know. Dude. Get some little blue pills, please?

2) Tiger bone - used in various medicines to heal aches and pains. Oh come on, people. It's the 21st century already. Read the science!

3) Tiger meat gives you "power"? Seriously, how?

4) Tiger teeth, claws and whiskers have magical properties. Hmmm... need i say more?

5) The last time we went to Sg Yu, the bones had to be encased in perspex. Before that, people actually scratched or rubbed themselves with tiger bones because it was supposed to have some kind of magical properties. Sigh.

OK. I know this sounds very condescending, but really, I don't have much to talk about right now. Later, maybe. Ciao!!

---
The tiger is our national animal. Our heritage. But today only less than 500 of them
remain in the wild. As Malaysians, we need to stand up and protect our heritage.
Speak to your children. Speak to your leaders. Everyone of us can make a difference.

For further information, please visit MYCAT (www.malayantiger.net), WWF Malaysia
(www.wwf.org.my) and Department of Wildlife & National Parks (www.wildlife.gov.my)

What do you do with the palm tree?

2010-04-07T10:34:00.000+08:00

Recently we were driving past an oil palm plantation when a friend asked me, "So what do you do with the palm trunks when you harvest them?"

Huh? What? The tree trunks? Honey, we don't mess with the trunks until the trees are dead. We harvest oil from the fruits. You know, like with olives?

It bothers me when 'green' people who try to "save the planet" by boycotting "bad" products get such fundamental facts wrong.

I know that vast tracts of rainforest are being cleared for massive oil palm plantations in many parts of the country. It's not a good thing, especially when it's done by huge conglomerates who only want to make money without considering the needs of local natives. We lose wildlife and BioD, water gets polluted, etc etc etc. I understand the issues, I'm an environmentalist too.

Do consider that smallholders plant oil palm as well, it's an important cash crop. People need to eat, the oil is used in many products like soap and making vitamins. The industry probably saved our asses during economic crises of yore. We used to import so much stuff before because we couldn't produce things ourselves. Imagine if we had to buy expensive foreign soap and oils just for our everyday needs. Biofuels is probably too much, it just upsets the balance, creating huge demand for something that can be produced using petroleum.

But as a former agriculture student, I know that there is a huge potential for palm oil to be eco friendly and sustainable. United Plantations is doing it. Sime is doing something about it. Palm fronds are stacked up to rot and replace soil nutrients naturally. Chemical fertilizers are expensive, planters do try to save on them. Weedkillers are used sparingly. They mostly rely on groundcover (legumes, which also supply nitrogen naturally) to keep weeds in check. Heck, we used to bathe in plantation ditches with no adverse effects.

What I'm saying is, don't diss palm oil wholesale. Don't miss the forest for the trees. There's a lot of good points in favour of this commodity. For one, it produces tonnes more yield per hectare compared to soybean and rapeseed, and we don't expose the land to erosion more than necessary. More on that later. Ciao!!

Back to Nature

2009-12-19T21:05:00.003+08:00

It's true, I've let this blog lie dormant for far too long. My life has been consumed with the worries of my current writer's job. After a year and a half (almost), I've been forced to reconsider where my allegiance lies. The verdict: My heart still lies deep in the heart of environmental conservation. True, I'm a crappy organiser and should never attempt to be a fundraiser ever again, but I'm convinced there is a job in there somewhere that fits my somewhat confused nature. I didn't take a loan and spend 2 years living a double life to waste all my time and effort trying to figure out what a successful woman already knows and not. It's just too taxing for me. Easier to assume all socialites are morons who don't give a s*** about the environment. Actually, experience has taught me that many DO care about the environment, especially when it starts to endanger their health and the future of their children.

The past few weeks, I've been exposed to organic food and healing through foods. While some, like eating a diet exclusively of raw food doesn't hold much appeal, there is some truth that natural, whole foods are beneficial to our body system. I believe that Asian cuisine trumps Mat Salleh cooking hands down because we don't believe in sticking already cooked food in ovens (to completely destroy any nutritional value left over) for an extra two hours. It's plain madness! and the amount of electricity they waste - it should be banned!!!

Back to organics - the main stumbling block is cost. They cost a horrendous amount more than 'conventionally' grown greens. As a horticultural graduate, it raises an important question, why is it so goddamned expensive??? After all, the reduction in crop yield is only 20%. Even though it's tastier, it doesn't warrant the sky-high price. Perhaps one big cost is expensive organic inputs they have to use over conventional, even if conventional is not especially damaging. There is a need to sort through the confusion and quickly reduce the cost of sustainably produced harvests. From experience, many subsistence farmers, especially those producing local herbs and spices, use very little chemical fertilizers and pesticides because 1) they are very expensive and 2) the plants don't really need chemical inputs. So conventional ginger vs organic? I think I can safely eat the cheap conventional one, thank you. And who fertilizes serai? Or limau nipis? Very few, I'm sure.

What I hope is that sustainable food will once more become the norm rather than the exception, and with that, the crazy premium put on organic food will be slashed once and for all. Food should be safe and affordable for everyone. Period. In any case, am looking forward to come back to conservation. Hope to find a job where I will actually be of some use. Insya-Allah..

Encouragement

2009-05-30T15:08:00.002+08:00

For the longest time, I have TRIED to bring reusable cloth bags when I go shopping. And for the longest time, I kept forgetting to bring the bags, or left them in the car, or ran short of the things. Lately, with everyone jumping on the bandwagon, i find myself so well-stocked with reusable bags that I can leave some in the car, stuff one in my handbag and have extras to give away things in. It's nice not to be the "weird" person who refuses to take plastic bags and spoons. All my regular stall owners are used to my refusal to take plastic spoons. Some ask where my container was if I don't bring one to tapau in. I've seen some guys bring their own containers too, what a comforting sight! It's true that change can be hard to implement, but as long as it's for a good cause, we should encourage it. Here's to a safer, cleaner planet. Amin...

Midnight Marauder

2009-03-25T19:46:00.002+08:00

Heard a commotion outside the house a few nights ago. It sounded like something fell through the ceiling on to the roof! Peeped outside but couldn't see anything. Shrugged it off as the cats fighting and went back to playing Scrabble. Sometime past midnight, there was more commotion and heard the cats come inside through the upstairs window. I switched on the staircase lights and what do I see if not a common palm civet! At first it looked like a tabby cat, but the head belied its identity. And such a handsome specimen it was too! I was so chuffed to meet a wild visitor in my home.

By then my sis had also come out of her room and we went to look for it at the back. We tried to let it out but Leo was in the way and of course spooked the visitor. It ran off into the kitchen. We found it frantically trying to escape through the back windows, but the louvres were opened too narrowly. When I came near to open them wider, it went and hid itself behind the storage cabinet. We left him alone and shut the kitchen door so that the cats won't get into a brawl with the bigger animal. Vet bills are expensive, you know. Anyway, it was gone the next day, so I hope he's safely on his way. Good luck, pal. Nice to see you around!

The No Plastics Challenge

2008-12-18T11:03:00.002+08:00

I know this is virtually impossible, since everything we buy is either encased in plastic or contains plastic. But then, belum cuba belum tau, right? Since the plastic bottle freak-out a few weeks back, I've been storing my drinking water in an old Nescafe bottle. It has been used as a vase since two days ago, and this morning I was tempted to go back to my previously beloved "space bottles" to tapau my water supply. In the end I decided not to and utilise the smaller Firefly bottle for my hydration needs.

Looking back, glass bottles are not as fragile as we often assume. They're not so heavy if you're only carrying one. So why depend on plastic for everything? Recycling plastics is not a real option, as most of them just end up wasted anyway. So I now pledge to avoid buying plastics unless it's necessary and for long-term use. Anyone joining me?

Tetra Pak now recycleable

2008-10-27T21:30:00.002+08:00

Ok. I've left this blog unattended for more than a year. I have good reason. And in the meantime, technological advances has allowed the formerly indestructible Tetra Pak packages to be recycled. Thank goodness for that! All you have to do is to flatten your drink boxes and send for recycling. Someone else will tear them apart and recycle the separated parts, just like any other recyclable materials. Good news, eh? Start doing it now!

Bush's take on Climate Change

2007-06-03T11:57:00.000+08:00

Oh My Poor Sharks...

2007-04-08T03:13:00.000+08:00

I claim to be an environmentalist and therefore I frown upon the consumption of shark's fin soup. But sometimes, holding on to your faith is more difficult than most.

I don't often get served shark's fin soup, which is a relief to me. And when I do, it becomes very difficult for me to say no. Reason?

1) It's possibly an occasion like a wedding. My poor friend had forked out a fortune to pay for it. The fish is already dead and cooked and served in front of me. It is an occasion to celebrate with my friends and I don't want to be a spoilsport.

2) Someone will point out that there is more crab meat than shark's fin in it. Again, fish is already dead and cooked.

3) Mercury content is very high, but then... you know... a bit hard to explain to everyone at the table why you refuse to eat the soup.

I have tried a few times to refuse the soup, but somehow I do end up ingesting it anyway, mercury and all. As it is, there is a very strong cultural link to it, which makes it hard to refuse the dish without being out of place and even rude! I so wish people would just stop serving the darn thing and save me this misery.

What I find most disturbing is the growing trend of non-Chinese ordering the dish which makes matters even worse. Something must be done to curb the demand. Anyone has any ideas on how to deal with this?

Answer to Pop Quiz

2007-02-08T01:47:00.000+08:00

Very Good!! Though Loret doesn't really count as she's a pro.. He he.. Thanks for being a good sport, peeps :-) Details of the mammal is pasted below.

Source: http://ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/colugo.htm

Colugo or Flying Lemur

Adult, probably female, Bukit Tinggi, Singapore.

Order : DERMOPTERA
Family : Cynocephalidae
Species : Cynocephalus variegatus

Head-Body Length : 34-38cm
Tail Length : 24-25cm
Weight : 0.9-1.3 kg

References : M2

Colugos are mammals from an ancient lineage, with just two species comprising the Order DERMOPTERA. Confusingly they are also called 'Flying Lemurs', though they are not closely related to the Lemurs of Madagascar. They can glide long distances, however, as they possess a thin membrane stretched to the ends of the tail and each limb.

Generally they are mottled grey or green-grey in colour, with dark banding, but some specimens are reddish. Their diet includes leaves and young shoots. During the day they rest high in the trees, clinging to trunks or hiding in tree holes. At dusk they become active, gliding from trunk to trunk like sheets of paper blown on the wind. The young are carried clinging to the flight membrane.

Colugos range from Burma, Indochina and Southern Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. They also occur throughout Borneo. A second Colugo species inhabits the southern Philippines.

Juvenile,
Bukit Timah Nature
Reserve, Singapore.

Recycling Centres Run by TrEEs

2007-01-27T17:41:00.000+08:00

TrEES (Treat Every Environment Special) is a local non-profit organisation whose vision is to nurture a generation of Malaysians that is not only concerned about the environment, but has the capacity to manage their resources and lead sustainable lifestyles. They run various programmes to achieve these goals. Please visit their website for more information.

Apart from the centers they run at several charity homes in the klang valley, they also run centers at a number of Giant supermarkets (one in Johor, too) where coupons (redeemable at Giant's) are paid out to customers. They also pay out cash at the recycling center at Taman Jaya, PJ. full addresses and operation hours can be found at http://www.trees.org.my/centres.htm

Info contributed by Iska Hashim. TQ :-)

Pop Quiz! What Animal Is This?

2007-01-26T11:19:00.000+08:00

Photo contributed by Glenda Noramly.

Use the comments facility to post your guess. Answer will be posted next week.

List of recycling centers

2007-01-24T20:21:00.000+08:00

Click here for the list of recycling centers run by Alam Flora in Klang Valley and Pahang.

Recycling Center - PERTUBUHAN AMAL SERI SINAR

2007-01-08T20:44:00.000+08:00

General Location: Cheras

Recycleable items collected:
1. Aluminium
2. Hard plastic & iron
3. Old newspaper & Other paper products
4. Clothes
5. Used electrical appliances e.g. computer, radio, tv, etc.

Collection schedule/ location:
Anytime - Collection boxes in various locations around town.
By calling - for picking up bulky items

Other information:
P.A.S.S has more than 60 recycling centres in the Klang Valley (KL, Bangsar, Ampang, PJ, Subang Jaya, Cheras and others). P.A.S.S even provide free pick up service for bulky collections like usable furniture, household junk, used electrical items etc. You just need to give them a call and make an appointment for pick up. Even on Weekends!

Source: http://www.expat.com.my/Expatriates%20Malaysia%20-%20Recycle%20for%20Charity.htm

Full address and contact details:
PERTUBUHAN AMAL SERI SINAR
No. 1, Jalan Bukit Permai Utama,
Taman Industrial Bukit Permai,
56100 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia.
Tel: 03-4297 7022, 4297 5022
H/P: 012-686 1633
Fax: 03-4297 9926
E-mail: ching_bob@yahoo.com
Website: http://pass.my.diip.net/

Recycling Center - Lovely Disabled Home

2007-01-08T20:24:00.000+08:00

Location: SS2, PJ

Recycleable items collected:
1. Aluminium
2. Hard plastic & iron
3. Old newspaper & Other paper products
4. Clothes
5. Used electrical appliances e.g. computer, radio, tv, etc.

Collection schedule:
Every 3rd Saturday of the month at SS2/89 & SS2/45 football field from 8 am to 12 noon

Other information:
Any revenue generated from the project will be used for the welfare of the disabled people.

Full address and contact details:
LOVELY DISABLED HOME (711337-D)
1, Jalan SS2/5, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 03-7873 9622, 013-3409 622 (Mr. Lum), 016-5044 590 (Mr Tham)

REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle

2007-01-02T04:16:00.000+08:00

Things that drive me up the wall - disposables!!

Fine, it's necessary for medical items to avoid cross-contamination and infection.

But plastic spoons??? Come on la. How difficult is it to wash a spoon after you eat breakfast in the office? Do you really need to get a plastic spoon to eat the tau-fu-fa you bought to eat at home?

If you're eating at a stall without proper washing facilities OK la. Or if you're travelling and have no access to proper cutlery.

Yes, plastics can be recycled. But how many of us actually do it? It's better to reduce waste by buying goods that can be reused for a long time before being recycled at the end of it's 'life'.

So remember, before you take that free "present", think - do I really need it?

Make a choice. Do the right thing. Say NO to disposables :D

In the Beginning...

2007-01-02T01:25:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone. My name is Azura, and I'm technically a 'greenie'. Why? Because nature is my love, just as some people like sports, music or the theater.

What I'd like to do here is to share details on how you can be a more environment-friendly person just by changing a few of your daily habits and through the choices that you make. You don't have to make huge changes overnight.

And I don't expect everyone to start kissing frogs (no, they refuse to turn into princes) or hug trees, but if anyone is interested in being more active in nature based activities, do visit the Malaysian Nature Society website here.

I decided to blog my thoughts and information because I feel that it's shorter and easier to digest than full-fledged articles. It's going to be pretty haphazard - that's my style. If I try to be mega-organized and put things on a schedule, it probably would die of procrastination in a very short period of time. I'll try to put relevant titles on the postings and hope it would help people to find the information that you need.

I do need help though. Please be so kind as to provide feedback on the postings, either on the tagboard or comment section so that this blog can be as informative, interactive and interesting as possible. Your kind cooperation will be much appreciated.

Happy New Year!

Rgds,
Azura