Natural resource: The widely-shared photo of a trailer hauling large sections of the cengal tree caused anger among netziens and conservationists who are calling for more protection of such natural heritage.
PETALING JAYA: The felling of a majestic cengal tree in Terengganu has riled conservationists who want more to be done to protect the nation’s natural heritage.
The matter came to light when photographs of a trailer hauling large sections of the tree went viral on social media on Sunday, causing anger among many people.
Malaysian Nature Society president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said he had proposed to the authorities many times in the past for better forest protection be carried out.
Advocating responsible use of plastics Pix for representational purpose only/REUTERS
PETALING JAYA: Plastics have had a bad reputation for decades now. It is non-biodegradable, and used and discarded plastic items end up in oceans, posing a threat to marine life.
However, according to producers and recyclers of the material, such a label is unjustified.
Plastics by itself does not pollute. The fault lies with people – how they use it and dispose of it is the problem.
As the Malaysia Plastic Recyclers Association (MPRA) pointed out recently, migrating from a linear economy now to a circular economy in the use of plastics is sustainable for the environment.
Call to check recyclers of plastic waste for compliance Asyraf Rasid / the sun
PETALING JAYA: Imports of plastic waste, even those that are regulated, could have detrimental effects on the environment.
An environmentalist said livestock could be affected and by extension, humans as well.
In the long term, it could be catastrophic, Greenpeace Malaysia campaigner Heng Kiah Chun said.
“We already have a huge amount of waste, some of which is contaminated. However, only a little of it is actually recycled.”
Heng was responding to a recent statement by Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man stating that the government “would not allow Malaysia to become the world’s dumping ground”.
Kuala Langat forest under threat Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The southern part of Selangor may soon lose its last green lung in yet another episode in the country’s series of abuse of forests.
In 1990, the area under forest cover accounted for 59.71% of the country’s total land area. By 2018, it was down to 33.06%. That works out to 10,920,385ha, according to environmental activist group EcoKnights.
Its vice-president, Amlir Ayat, said the country lost 6% of its forests in just four years from 2014 to 2018.
He was commenting on a decision by the Selangor government to degazette the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) for development.
More support for water management by federal government Sunpix
PETALING JAYA: A proposal to have the federal government take charge of water supply management in the country has gained wider support.
A lawyer and an environmentalist said it would help to address all issues that have plagued the water supply sector over the years.
Lawyer Datuk Kamaruddin Ahmad told
theSun that the federal government is in a better position to counter water issues compared with states.
“The federal government can better coordinate supply and demand needs. Furthermore, the National Land Code gives the federal government more power over such matters than what individual states get from their respective land codes.