Datai Forest of Langkawi Soon Be A Goner

"I will not be coming back to Datai resort anymore", said a returned Datai guest who was on her second stay a month ago. Her first experience in Datai Resort was ten years back and she found the place absolutely tranquil, balanced with nature.

She told me that on her second visit this time, she saw that there were more villas as compared to ten years ago. After witnessing the start of new development in Datai Resort, she was disgusted with the upcoming of fourteen villas and cutting of trees in the forest to accommodate another massive project by the Khazanah group.

I shared the same sentiments with her.

The Datai rainforest is unique because of its lush greenery on Malaysia's oldest land formation  which is the Machinchang Range.

Image taken from www.smarttravelasia.com

Tourists have asked me if there are any protection to this rainforest since Langkawi is a UNESCO's Geopark site?

My answer will always be Yes and No. I will leave my comments out from this post for now. 

I just want to post khazanah's evil Teluk Datai development plan on Machinchang in expense of her rainforest and our public's fund.

Overall khazanah's development plan

Hillside along the road

Hillside along the Datai Road, more bungalow villas

Development next to Andaman Resort, Shangrila will be the next one coming

ppsssttt... from the grapevine, these new villas will be equipped with modernized and computerised toilets. The bowl cover will be lifted up on it's own. Wow! no wonder these villas will cost more than couple of million ringgits each!

Development of 14 luxurious villas, the first stage, have started

 Wish I can throw a grenade on this one

A part of rainforest been sliced open

How conservation on Langkawi is possible when an island like this is perceived as underdeveloped by some of the influential businessmen and politicians? I understand that development is inevitable especially when it comes to eco-tourism, there must be a balance between development and conservation of the natural heritage. How much can one take and retain? How much development is considered as enough when Langkawi's attraction is her natural beauty, wildlife and her biodiversity? These greedy people just don't get it! They are breaking the rice bowl of the island.

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LADA's Mission

Bravo to LADA (Langkawi Development Authority) for stepping up to support Malaysian Nature Society Langkawi branch in efforts to sustain tourism on the island while conserving Langkawi's natural heritage. This is indeed welcome by some stakeholders. While some stakeholders may not be too happy should unfavorable strict rules and regulations be implemented in complying to the correct practise of eco-tourism.

I especially love the part where LADA's Tourism Manager said, "Tourism can really improve the locals' standard of living but we must not kill the goose that lays the golden egg."

What a relief to Langkawi for such news from LADA! However, before the country code can even be implemented, LADA ought to clean up their backyard first.

Click below for the story.

For the full news from The Star on Protecting Langkawi's Splendour, please scroll all the way down.

We wrote a couple of letters concerning two conservation issues to The Star (our Malaysian famous newspaper) and they failed to publish them.  It was Malaysiakini and EcoMalaysia.org  who helped published our concerns. A BIG THANK YOU TO Malaysiakini and EcoMalaysia.org. And now The Star has finally decided to put Langkawi's plight in the limelight. Why?

Actually, I must also thank YB Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, our Minister of Tourism, for her frequent visits to Langkawi in the year 2010 and her efforts to improvise the tourism facilities on the island. Because of that, the medias are now opening their eyes in seeing Langkawi as the goose that lays the golden egg. Read her posting in related to Langkawi in her blog.

Back to LADA's commitment to support the conservation efforts. In my opinion, to allow conservation efforts to have a higher rate of success, the relevant authorities ought to walk the talk. Show the local Langkawians that the relevant authorities are rolling up the sleeves and getting the results out. LADA created and implemented a lot of projects to facilitate tourism on the island that had helped the locals to earn their living. However, some of the failed projects are often left abandoned, no proper studies conducted before implementation and no follow-ups to ensure facilities are maintained well and efficiently. Therefore, how do we expect the local Langkawians to respect the authorities?

I have a few examples that LADA ought to buckle up. For now, I will put up one example by focusing on Kilim Jetty which is in our pride Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. Why Kilim? Because the mangrove tour is one of the most popular activity on the island and a majority of tourists flocked there to partake on such tour.

Let's look at what has been done at Kilim and what are those that are left as eyesores:

1. I shall begin with this short bridge to allow visitors to cross over to see the mangroves. It is a nice bridge opposite the toilet building. By the way, the toilet there is properly maintained because visitors have to pay RM0.30 to the Persatuan (Society) to ensure its cleanliness. I have no objection to that. Here is how the short bridge looks like.

Once you have crossed over, this is what you will see...

2. While on the boat towards Gua Kelawar (Bat Cave)...

The short left most cement structure seems to be the remaining section of a bridge that was supposedly to link to the other side where the Gua Kelawar (Bat Cave) is. 

Maybe some of you remember the incident of a newly constructed bridge that collapsed in February 2008. Here is the story below, click on the image to read the contents or use a magnifying glass.

That cement block looks like one of the missing part. Call the CSI please...

If this ugly thing was not meant to be the bridge, then what the hell this is supposed to be?? A wildlife observation tower? Or Monkey's tower to look at men's stupidity?

3. After the Gua Kelawar and Kilim's new incinerator area, you will come to the remnants of a heritage site. The old time favorite, Barn Thai Restaurant that once stood pride for its fabulous Thai food is now left with this.

A website claimed that this restaurant was constructed without having a single tree chopped down. Well... I doubt so.

The owner left in a hurry that there were some stuffs left behind in the mangroves. All of these were there for a few months now.

This is one of those things left behind. At an angle, this thing can be clearly identified. Anyone want to guess what "species" is that? Let me give you a hint, is a bowl where we put our bum on it!

4. Next, let's take a boat ride towards the fish farm from Kilim Jetty.

This is one of the latest display which was put up less than six months ago. WHAT IS THIS?? Obstacle course?

5. Next to the "obstacle course", you will see a tributary adjoining Kilim River. According to the local, that is known as Sungai Garam. Do you see the section of mangroves has been cleared?

It is such a visible deforestation of the mangroves. Why our authorities claimed that Kilim mangroves are untouched?

According to the locals, that area was cleared to build a small jetty for fishing boats to dock their boats. That area was cleared for almost a year and nothing happens until now. So, all those trees died in vain... sad...

That's all for the Kilim Jetty area. There are more and I will keep them to myself for now. I seriously do not understand how the stakeholders, tour companies and users of Kilim Jetty can withstand all these eyesores that had been there for all these years. No wonder they say Malaysians are very patient lots!

Overall, I must salute En Megat, Tourism Manager of LADA for his bold statement to support  conservation efforts in Langkawi. I hope that En Megat will get the fullest support from other government agencies otherwise he will be the soloist in LADA's conservation work. It is a tough job indeed and conservation work cannot rely on a single person. Good luck to En Megat and his team.
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Protecting Langkawi’s splendour

By CHRISTINA CHIN, TheStar

COME March, the Langkawi Country Code, a guideline for sustainable eco-tourism for Langkawi, will be available for all local authorities, tourism operators and stakeholders.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Langkawi branch chairman Eric R. Sinnaya said the code hoped to prevent natural attractions from being ruined by tourism so that everyone could enjoy long-term benefits.

“Tourism can really improve the locals’ standard of living but we must not kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” he said.

“We can have the greenest is- lands in the world if everyone works together.

“Two decades ago, 95% of the Langkawi islands was green — now we are down to about 60%,” he said.

He said although NGOs could prepare a guideline of best practices, the state and local authorities’ support was needed to endorse and enforce the code, adding that the ecology of Langkawi was very sensitive and needed protection.

He said the Pulau Payar Marine Park was a good example of how tourism had resulted in garbage pollution and coral damage.

The code addresses the conservation of existing tropical rainforests, mangrove forests, coastal eco-systems, bio-diversity and landscapes; garbage management; reduction of pollution and usage of natural resources and adoption of ethical business models by all parties.

The code was among the out-comes of the ‘Conservation of Bio-diversity in Langkawi through Sustainable Eco-tourism’ project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by the MNS.

The project, which was initiated in October 2008, ended on Thursday.

Other activities carried out under the project were bird watching, shark spotting, green month campaign, beach cleanups, jellyfish operation at Pantai Cenang and myriad exhibitions, dialogues and seminars on fauna and flora.

The aim was to nurture, educate and empower the community to protect Langkawi’s natural heritage through a pragmatic environmental awareness, training and monitoring programme as sustainable eco-tourism practices would minimise the negative effects of tourism on bio-diversity and natural resources.

Eric said the RM145mil project was very important for Langkawi because there was low conservation awareness among the locals and those who were aware didn’t know how they could help protect the environment while helping the tourism sector grow.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) tourism manager Megat Shahrul Azman Abas welcomed the code.

He said that as a tourist development agency under the Ministry of Finance, Lada’s focus was to develop the 99 islands as a premier tourist destination.

“We want to practice green tourism by complying with eco-tourism practices to ensure sustainable development,” he said.

“The Langkawi Country Code is a very good effort by the MNS — it shows that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are playing their roles well by being pro-active,” he said, adding that Lada would continue working closely with the MNS.

He said Langkawi’s main draw was her natural surroundings and laidback lifestyle.

“Here, visitors feel very safe — they are not harassed by haggling traders.

“Eco-tourism activities like bird-watching and mangrove tours are very popular these days,” he said.

Tourists arrivals from January to October last year was about 1.8mil compared to more than 1.9mil for the same period this year.

Besides Europe which is Langkawi’s traditional tourist market, Middle Eastern and South Asian tourists are also flocking to the islands.

Megat Shahrul Azman also noted an increase in arrivals from Scandinavian countries.

He said Lada would target tourists from Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan next year.

Links:

1. The Star: Protecting Langkawi's Splendour

2. The Star: Kilim's Bridge Is Falling Down

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Species of Langkawi's Poachers

With the increasing number of poachers in Langkawi, I can now categorise them into three species:

JUST FOR FUN (SMALL TIME) KEH LEY FAY POACHERS

These locals were seen waiting to trap birds in the mangroves. They came by long boats especially at high tide when their boats can access further inside. When they walked out carrying covered small cages, you can tell what they were doing. 

These are just some youngsters who have nothing else better to do on their weekends.

Do you notice the small cages on the ground?

The picture above shows the locals were out of the forest with the cages. The types of birds these locals usually trap are the Oriental Magpie Robins (Copsychus saularis), White Rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus),  Bulbuls (Pycnonotus sp.) and Hill Mynas (Gracula religiosa). 

AMATEUR (MID RANGE) POACHERS

This anchovies (ikan bilis) purse seiner was spotted harvesting marine life too close to the shore. All purse seiners must do their catch at least 5km away from the coast or shore.

Their modus operandi were usually during the neap tide period. On days like that, we don't see the enforcers from Marine or even the Jabatan Perikanan (Fisheries Department).

PROFESSIONALS (BIG TIME) POACHERS

They are mysterious. They came by day or night. They acted quietly and their action is huge. They could be one of the big stake players involved in Langkawi's tourism industry. They may be the one talking to the public on their love for the rainforest and looking after the community. These are the Destructive ones. Even the lawmakers and enforcers would bow down and kowtow to them. 

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My Personal International Day of Biodiversity

May 22nd 2010 was the International day of Biological Diversity (Biodiversity). I had completely forgotten about it until the late evening. What if I was aware of this day when I got off the bed? What can I do? What does this day mean to me or to those around me? 

My only simple answer is that all of us depends on the biodiversity around us for the air we breathe, the food we eat, natural medicine that heals us, the beauty for us to admire and the economic value for a nation that depends on eco-tourism.

So, what did I do on this day?

Thankfully, I had an opportunity to head out on a kayak on this day in the afternoon to check out the biodiversity on this island. And this is what I had been waiting for after the long period of dry season on Langkawi. The awakening and the full bloom of White Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum Niveum).

If you google this orchid species and the word Langkawi, you will find some websites  had highlighted Langkawi is home to the Paph. Niveum. Therefore, it is not a secret anymore. However, where can you find it? heh, heh...Secret...

In the usual areas where this species of orchid were found, it did not seem to appear yet. I was beginning to worry that this species will suffer due to lack of rain, extreme heat and prolonged dry season on Langkawi. 

Under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Paph. Niveum is listed under protection of CITES Appendix-1, which prohibits commercial trade unless seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, and transported in sterile containers are not subject to the provisions of the Convention only if the specimens meet the definition of "artificially propagated" as agreed by the Conference of the Parties.

After paddling for a short while along this island, I was looking very carefully on the rocks. I was ecstatic to see a clump of Paph. Niveum leaves among the scrubs on the rocks. I started taking pictures. Bobbing up and down sitting on the kayak was a challenge to take sharp pictures. 

It seemed that my eyes were beginning to adjust to the images of this orchid and then shortly, I began to see more of this species!! In full bloom!!

The actual view of Paph. niveum. Can you spot it?

Paph. Niveum zoomed in.

The dash of heavy rain on previous days also allowed other plants to flower too.

Some sort of creepers. Need help to id this.

This creeper plant has tiny flowers. 

Some sort of orchid?? Need help to id this.

A Bamboo family. 

A rock taken off the wall by a massive root wrapped around it.

Some weird tree. 

With weird looking fruits. Need help to id this.

Also fauna like Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus Salvator) and:

Rock Thrush?

Kayaking back to the shore, I was smiling from ear to ear after having seen them. I did not return empty handed.

Everyday is biodiversity day. This day was dedicated since 2002 by United Nations  to remind the entire homosapiens on this planet the importance of our biodiversity around us. That is why we have so many of these: World Environmental Day, Earth Day, Earth Week,  World Wetlands Day, etc...

Links:
1. CITES Protection on Paphiopedilum Niveum
2. Introduction to the International Year of Biodiversity
3. Read more about Convention on Biological Diversity

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It's NOW or NEVER!

 Are we going to let this happen?

EQUALS TO  

This place is next to Temurun Waterfalls, which is a 100% man made waterfall. Now, it is a white elephant.

Are we going to let "Langkawi Falls"?

The choice is ours otherwise the effect of deforestation will see Langkawi loses her natural heritage in a blink of an eye.

The fate of Langkawi now depends on the strength of her majority. Will you join the force or not?

If yes, simply click on this link to the petition sponsored by Malaysian Nature Society:

 Campaign to Conserve Langkawi's Remaining Rainforest

If not, I shall command my Na'vis to your village...heeehhheee...

Please help to send this link to as many nature lovers as possible. Thank you.

It is NOW or NEVER!!

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LANGKAWI WILL BE IN TROUBLE!!

"Those who are native to the island have most to lose", he says. "The destruction of their natural heritage not only jeopardises their jobs in the tourism industry, but also will impact on the farming and fishing industries, and ultimately their quality of life".

Yes!! It is LOUD and CLEAR. Not my words, though. Pictures always paint a thousand clear words and the truth. These images here were taken from an "Avatar" flying machine about a month ago. Many thanks to Kulark (Ku Ismadi) for sharing his photographs via Facebook. Where are my Na'vis?

Image contributed by Kulark

For the past three months, there were burnings on the hills. The areas were Bukit Sawak (next to Gunung Raya); Kuala Teriang, Pasir Hitam area and Kilim area.

These are happening on our Langkawi's precious lowland rainforest now. Here is a true story. To safeguard the "victim's" identity, I will write about his experience and choose not to reveal the exact location. 

"Workers were cutting the trees in the forest nearby. Sitting next to the forest is a clean stream supplying water to nearby farms. After cutting the trees for days, the condition of the stream was tarnished. Worried over the consequences of deforestation, a complaint was made to the Forestry Department. The work stopped for awhile. Then days later, the workers were spotted continuing to tear the forest apart in the night about 2am onwards. The locals there were furious and yet they were afraid to do something about it. "

Why do tourists visit Langkawi? 

Why Langkawi has attracted expatriates to migrate over to Langkawi?

Because of her wonderful beauty, landscape, her diversity of flora and fauna and her amazing geological formations. Do you think the foreign tourists would come here for the duty free products??

What attracted researchers, scientists and nature enthusiasts over to Langkawi?

Langkawi is home to 200 over species of birds, inclusive of migratory birds; home to over 350 species of butterflies; home to the oldest rock formation in West Malaysia, home to some wild orchids and much more.

So, what are these people doing to Langkawi's natural heritage??

Loss of the rainforest = loss of important species of trees = loss of food source to wildlife, birds and butterflies = loss of healthy population of wildlife = loss of soil stability = Erosion = Landslides = loss of water catchment areas = loss of water source = loss of agriculture = loss of tourists = loss of Langkawians' economic sources.

Do I need to comment further? If the State Government and Forestry Department continue to close their eyes and allow this to happen, Langkawi will lose her assets and her people will suffer.

I am writing this not only to bring awareness of what is happening here. I am writing to support our pioneer, well known naturalist and environmentalist; Irshad Mobarak on his calling to stop deforestation here. "Not to protect Langkawi's natural capital is economic suicide", Irshad says in an article on Case Study: Keeping Tourism in Balance with Nature. 

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD). Will we be celebrating or mourning over the loss of biodiversity?

Links:

1.  2010 International Year of Biodiversity

2. Case Study: Keeping Tourism in Balance with Nature

3. Read what Pak Teh wrote on Biodiversity Footprints

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