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Currently, all the major news media in this country are showing and projecting environmental hazards taking place in Malaysia. This issue was intensified when the Prime Minister himself appeared on the front pages of all the major newspapers on the 4 March 2005. The general public beginning to realize that the environmental destruction is one of the important issues facing every Malaysian. Why target at Selangor only, when almost all states in Malaysia have contributed environmental sins in the name of development. The areas surrounding Bukit Cahaya Sri Alam Agriculture Park is just one of the cases, there are several areas that have been molested and are fortunate enough not to be made public. First the Tsunami catastrophe, because of this disaster there are certain sectors calling on to protect our mangrove areas. Although before this natural catastrophe there were some groups who are concerned about the destruction of mangrove ecosystems, but it is always being occasionally labeled as environment extremists. Only because of tsunami, the public begins to realise the important of environmental issues such as protection and conservation of mangrove swamp. Then the forest fires and the increase in air temperatures. In addition to this, the dry spell. Perhaps natural catastrophes are hard to overcome, however man-made activities which are generally lead to environmental destruction, can be controlled and managed. Some people are still trying to brush aside environmental issues particularly in dealing with living entities and generally forget that the living organisms including humans are the crucial components. Big profits are high on their agendas. Environmental issues especially pertaining to the survival of plant communities and animal populations are always ignored. Some developers trying to overcome this intricate environmental issue by saying they have referred to the “experts”. I just wonder, can their experts explain why things have been happening in these types of fragile environments. I feel my first year biology students have more knowledge that some of the so called experts.
Not many Malaysians are unaware that on February 2004 , we hosted one of the biggest environmental events. The convention of biodiversity, more than 180 countries participated. Issues pertaining to conservation and protection on sensitive areas such as mountains, wetlands, coastal zones, forest ecosystems in addition to species riches and biodiversity were widely addressed by most governments. Yet I fail to understand why environmental issues are not being addressed properly by some sectors. Economical development is closely related to sustainable development and wise use of natural resources. This crucial aspect is still neglected. The understanding of the basic environmental issue is still lacking among the policy makers. The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) should have a strong ecological component, where sustainable development based on ecological concepts can be laid down and spelled out.
Many developments are not being based on ecological principles. Ecosystem assessments where plants, animals and microorganisms play an important role are sometimes lacking in environmental impact assessments. How several native plants and animals have been wiped out is seldom recorded. For example, in a few cases that forest areas which had been converted into housing estates, many native species have lost their habitats. In addition to this, we tend to forget that the free oxygen we get is mostly from green plants. No factory can make cheap oxygen.
Before 1970s, nobody dream of buying water. Nowadays mineral water in some countries is more expensive than other commodities. Later on we have to buy oxygen. Time will tell, if we are not careful with our environment. For example river systems are being molested and some are restored with concrete canals. Riverine vegetation and corridor plants should not been disturbed or destroyed. These species play a major role in balancing the whole systems including the hydrological systems. Many of our riverine fishes depend largely on fruits of riverine vegetations. If the riverine corridor collapses, these fishes will face extinction. In addition to pollution and erosion, their habitats are destroyed. These species act as a biological indicator for a healthy environment. Not to mention that we will loss rich river resources, but also clean water supply. The serious problem will come back to us. Right now, Selangor has to siphon water from Pahang. If Pahang is facing the same water crisis, where Pahang will get its water supply? If proper environmental management is done, states in Malaysia will never face water crisis, because we are located in a wet tropical zone. Perhaps it is highly recommended that all the construction companies should employ professional biologists or ecologists, at least they should learn from nature not otherwise they think they know nature. Therefore they can control nature and modify the environment without much regard to the long term effect. Before it is too late, most our tropical forest will become a savanna or even worst a concrete desert. Therefore nature should be respected. Some of the older generations still remember that Kuala Lumpur was once a beautiful city to live in because of the green surrounding area and a pleasant climate due to the green plants and clean streams and rivers, way back before 1970s. If proper environmental measure is taken, several environmental issues can be greatly reduced. Many are unaware that Malaysia is a biological wonder land; that is the reason why the country is included in one of the world biodiversity hot spots. Although we live in a rich biodiversity country, but it is rather unfortunate that many authorities dealing with environmental issues cannot differentiate between a crow and an eagle. Yet they are given big tasks in managing and controlling our environment.
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