Penang Hill

By:Afra' Fardillah ZaiMustapar

Having lived in Kuala Lumpur all my life, I was initially somewhat reluctant to leave the big city to pursue my education in a smaller state, namely Penang. I was under the false impression that KL had the best of everything to offer. And so I left with a heavy heart, expecting life in Penang to be boring.

My first weekend on the island changed not only my thoughts, but my heart too. My visit to Penang Hill had me falling in love with Malaysia’s Pearl of the Orient.Penang Hill, also known as ‘Bukit Bendera’, is a hilltop holiday retreat situated 830 meters above sea level. There are several ways to travel to the top depending on the preference of visitors.

I had the privilege of riding a funicular train, the most common mode of transport to the hill station. The train travels at a slow and steady pace through dense vegetation and forests, giving visitors a good opportunity to enjoy the greenery and cool air. Upon reaching Penang Hill, I was at awe over the breathtaking scenery. The morning cloud-like mist still hung in the air and dew formed little droplets on every leaf and flower. Butterflies and dragon flies played happily among the plants, and I even spotted an Asian Fairy Bluebird perched on one of the taller trees. Barely 5 minutes into my visit and I was already blown away by the beauty of it all.

We made our way to the Canopy Walk. It was something I had been very excited about and couldn’t wait to try. After a wabbly few steps on the suspended bridge, I paused to observe the nature around me. From tall trees that formed high canopies to lower vegetation on the ground, everything was a flush of green! The forests had been conserved very well despite the painstaking task of building a bridge from tree to tree. I was at one with nature, a feeling I never got living in the city. Walking around Penang Hill, I learned that Penang Hill was also a heritage site. Buildings on the hill were first built in the early 1800s by the British colonies. The Bel Retiro bungalow on Flagstaff Hill belonging to the then Governor is used till today as a holiday home by the current Governor.

The bungalow has been conserved with little change to its architecture. Several other bungalows belonging to diplomats during the British colonial period have also been preserved. Some of these have been converted into hotels and restaurants where visitors can observe the uniqueness of old buildings and architecture. My trip to Penang Hill was an experience of a lifetime. The ongoing conservation efforts on the hill were an eye opener of just how important nature is to us. Compared to the city, the environment at a site like Penang Hill is surreal.

Permata Hijau yang Berterbangan

oleh Tan Poh Ling

Melihat mereka bebas berterbangan bersama-sama dan hinggap di keliling bunga hati saya begitu gembira. Antara banyak jenis spesies rama-rama, spesis Rajah Brooke paling menawan hati saya. Dengan sayap berkilau berwarna hijau ia terbang dengan begitu lemah lembut dan cantik.

Rajah Brooke yang juga dikenali sebagai Trogonoptera brookiana banyak ditemui di kawasan terbing sungai dan juga kawasan air panas di dalam Hutan Hujan Tropika di Semenanjung Malaysia, Borneo, Indonesia dan Filipina.

Rama-rama ini dinamakan oleh Alfered Russel Wallace semasa salah satu daripada ekspedisi beliau di hutan Borneo sempena raja Sarawak pada masa itu iaitu, Sir James Brooke. Rama-rama terbesar ini kini semakin jarang ditemui akibat diburu oleh ramai orang untuk dijadikan perhiasan rumah.Menyedari permintaan tinggi terhadap koleksi rama-rama ini sebagai spesimen perhiasan, kini ia telah diistiharkan sebagai spesis yang dilindungi.

Kita seharusnya bersama-sama memelihara spesis yang semakin terancam ini untuk mengelakan kepupusan. Anak-anak kita tidak seharusnya hanya mengenali rama-rama ini melalui buku sahaja. Kita tidak sepatutnya menghias rumah atau diri kita dengan mengorbankan insan kerdil ini, malah kita sepatutnya melindungi mereka dari sebarang ancaman.

Sabah: Bumi Borneo Malaysia

Oleh: Azlan Abdul Rahman

Panorama indah kawasan pergunungan yang dilatari oleh hamparan perkebunan beserta dengan hembusan dingin bayu pasti menambat hati setiap pengunjung yang melawat kawasan peranginan Gunung Kinabalu di Sabah. Gunung berpasak kukuh dengan ketinggian 4095.2 meter dari paras laut ini merupakan antara khazanah alam semula jadi yang harus dipelihara oleh kita semua.

Terletak di kawasan Taman Negara Kinabalu, gunung ini menyajikan pada kita senario alam yang mempersonakan terutamanya di kawasan Ranau dan Kundasang. Setiap mata pasti terpaku melihat bunga-bunga mawar mekar mewangi sekitar kaki gunung tersebut. Begitu juga dengan perkebunan kobis yang menghijau menyerikan lagi deria penglihatan untuk menghayati khazanah bumi borneo ini.

Selain keindahan kawasan pergunungan, Sabah juga terkenal dengan keindahan kawasan marin dan perairannya. Pulau Tiga, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Sulug serta Pulau Sipadan pasti tidak mengecewakan setiap penggemar aktiviti laut dan pantai. Deretan pantai yang memutih disapa mesra dengan hempasan ombak mengundang rasa kepuasan untuk kita sama menikmatinya. Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman, sebagai contoh, merupakan salah satu taman marin di Sabah. Taman ini pasti menjanjikan kepuasan sepenuhnya kepada penggemar batuan karang, hidupan air serta kehijauan rumpun tepian pantai. Selain itu, Pulau Mantanani yang terletak berhampiran Kota Belud merupakan pilihan yang ideal lagi memuaskan untuk pengunjung yang gemar bersantai di bawah terik mentari sambil melihat lambaian pepohon kelapa. Namun, kita harus tahu yang keindahan bumi bertuah ini tidak akan selamanya menjaminkan kepuasan jika kita tidak sama membantu melindunginya

Keunikan dan keistimewaan khazanah alam semula jadi di Sabah yang bermula di puncak gunung sehingga ke dasar lautan diserikan dengan kehidupan pelbagai jenis flora dan fauna. Tatkala berbicara mengenai Sabah, kita pasti akan mengaitkannya dengan kehidupan beberapa spesis haiwan serta tumbuhan unik yang tidak terdapat di negeri-negeri lain di Malaysia. Orang Utan, Monyet Belanda serta Bunga Rafflesia merupakan antara hidupan unik yang berlindung di bumi Borneo Malaysia ini. Hidupan-hidupan ini memerlukan keaslian alam semula jadi di Sabah untuk meneruskan kemandirian spesis mereka. Tidak mustahil kehidupan haiwan dan tumbuhan ini hanya akan tinggal sejarah jika kita tidak memulihara dan terus memelihara kelangsungan sumber makanan serta kawasan perlindungan mereka. Jadi, kesedaran yang tinggi disertakan dengan perlaksanaan konservasi yang sewajarnya dapat membantu hidupan-hidupan ini untuk terus menyerikan bumi bertuah Sabah.

Segala keindahan serta keistimewaan negeri Sabah tidak akan kekal lama jika kita terus membinasakannya. Industri perlancongan sememangnya baik untuk penjanaan sumber ekonomi, namun perlaksanaan yang tepat dan bersesuaian dengan langkah pemuliharaan alam semula jadi haruslah diterapkan oleh pihak yang berkenaan. Semoga Sabah, Bumi Borneo Malaysia akan terus menyajikan keindahan dan keunikan kepada kita semua.

kredit gambarajah: http://www.tourism-malaysia.net/

Conserving Mangroves for the Fauna

By: Azlan Abdul Rahman

The mangrove forest is among the precious natural forests in Malaysia. Mangrove forests in Malaysia can be found along the shores of peninsular Malaysia and also in Sabah and Sarawak. The forests lie from the west coast of peninsular Malaysia starting from Sungai Merbok, Kedah and continue fencing up all the beaches along Kuala Gula and Matang in Perak to Kuala Selangor and beaches along Johor. They can also be found in several places in Kelantan, Pahang as well as Terengganu.

Mangrove forest serves several functions to humans as it is a natural buffer from strong wind and storm, acts as a stabilizing agent of the coastal area and also provides breeding and nurturing ground for flora as well as fauna. Flora and fauna rely heavily upon the mangroves as their habitat and also as a place to find food. There are many kinds of animals that can be found in the mangrove forest .

Bird is one of dominant species which can be found in the mangrove forests. Several species of birds can be found in mangrove areas. Among them are the Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Blue Fly-catcher, White-Collared Kingfisher, Litter Tern and many more. They choose mangrove forest as their personal habitat, breeding ground and also for food and survival. In addition, mangroves serve a great function in conserving the endangered Milky Stork. This bird is protected under the international wildlife protection because they are vulnerable and threatened by humans. At present, only a small number of this bird still exist and the species can only be found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Besides birds, several species of mammals and reptiles’ survival depends heavily upon the mangrove forest. The Malayan Tiger, the Smooth Otter, the Proboscis Monkey and the Malayan Tapir are among some of the endangered animal species which treat mangroves as their main home and a place to find their food source. Their preys are generally small animals such as birds, fishes, snakes and several kinds of clams and shells. The Estuarine Crocodile is another example of endangered species of reptile that makes the mangrove forest its home. This crocodile chooses to live and to breed in the mangrove area because of the suitability in its soil, tide and beach.

Fishes, crabs, prawns, clams and shells are very synonymous to the mangrove forest. We can find lots of fish species like Archer Fish, Mud Skipper and Green-Spotted Puffer Fish swimming and playing around the root of the mangrove trees. Clams, mussels and shells can also be easily found in mangrove areas. They not only serve as food for the animals but also a delicacy to man. Fishermen often collect them, not only for consumption, but also as a selling profit in the fisheries business. Additionally, they are not only valuable to the animal and man but also they are considered an important agent in completing the natural chain of food and live in our environment.

So, we need to conserve these mangrove areas if we want to conserve the lives of these valuable species of animals. Please conserve the mangroves to ensure a better life and future for our own survival with the natural environment.

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

by Tan Poh Ling

Cheong Fatt Tze is a Penang foremost restoration project and heritage boutique homestay. The mansion is built by the famous merchant, Cheong FAtt Tze at the end of 19th century. Legendary in the history of Mansion, this place consists of 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows. Other special features of this mansion are Gothic louvered windows, Chinese cut and paste porcelain art work, Stoke on Trent floor tiles, Glasgow cast iron pillars and Art Nouveau stained glass.

The mansion was originally built with careful attention to the principles of Feng Shui. For instance, this mansion faces the sea and has Penang Hill behind it; the domestic block is built in front of it to prevent any road being built to create a T-junction in front of it and also it has water running through in the mansion. Besides, the mansion is built with a step in the middle to create a slope (to ride on the dragons back).

The entire mansion is painted with distinctive blue result of mixing lime with natural blue dye made from the Indigo plant. The blue was very popular in the Colonial period and the dye was imported from India. The lime wash was very effective in a tropical weather as it absorbed moisture and cooled the house. The house was originally painted white in the time of the owner, and the indigo was applied much later.

The mansion is currently used as a hotel-cum-museum as part of a restoration project. This mansion has been awarded the Most Excellent Heritage Conservation Award from the UNESCO. In addition, the mansion has been featured in various famous films including the 1993 Oscar-winning French film "Indochine" starring Catherine Deneuve, and has also been featured in programs broadcast on various international TV channels such as CNN and BCC.

Taman yang Berterbangan

oleh Tan Poh Ling

Terletak di dalam sebuah negeri metropolitan,Taman Rama-rama Pulau Pinang dibuka pada Mac 1896. Taman adalah taman pertama dibuka kepada orang ramai di kawasan tropika di dunia. Taman ini terletak pada hujung Negeri Mutiara ini di Teluk Bahang dan lebih kurang 17km daripada Georgetown. Kini, ia telah menjadi salah satu tempat tarikan pelancongan di negeri ini.

Pada masa kini, rama-rama sedang mengalami ancaman dan jika ia tidak dijaga ia akan mengalami kepupusan pada masa hadapan. Ancaman yang paling serius kepada rama-rama adalah kemusnahan habitat mereka, penggunaan bahan kimia atau racun serangga kepada tumbuh-tumbuhan dan juga kurangnya kesedaran tentang serangga ini yang juga memerlukan perlindungan.

Taman rama-rama ini didirikan bukan sahaja untuk dijadikan tempat pelancongan malah dijadikan sebagai pusat konservasi rama-rama dan tempat untuk para pelajar untuk mengenali serangga ini dengan lebih dekat lagi. Selain itu, taman rama-rama ini juga dijadikan tempat untuk membuat penyelidikan tentang serangga.

Di taman ini, terdapat banyak rama-rama hidup yang bebas berterbangan sesama sendiri tanpa sekatan. Selain itu, taman ini juga mempunyai sebuah sudut serangga yang dinamakan ‘Dunia Serangga’ dimana pelbagai jenis serangga lain boleh ditemui di sana.

Pengetahuan tentang konservasi boleh bermula dengan taman ini untuk neningkatkan kesedarang kepada orang ramai. Taman ini merupakan sebuah taman yang bermakna bagi semua, disamping menjadi pusat tarikan eko-pelancongan ia juga dijadikan sebuat pusat konservasi. Masa hadapan untuk anak-anak kita mengenali serangga ini lebih terjamin. Selain itu, kanak-kanak boleh datang ke taman ini untuk mengenali dan juga menimba sedikit ilmu tentang rama-rama dengan pengalaman sendiri.

Educating Children on the Conservation of the Environment

By: Omar A. Jassim

Children are the best group to teach about environment. The war in Iraq has mostly affected the children because they are too young to understand what environmental pollution is.

After the war, the basic needs of people such as water and food are mostly polluted by the chemical weapons used by the US army. This also has increased the rate of dangerous diseases. Hence, it is very important to educate Iraqis children on environmental awareness.

After all they are exposed to pollution that comes from sources like the schools, houses and public places. In the house the sources include gas, cigarettes and soap, while in school the sources include water pollution, disease transmission such as gastrointestinal illness, disorders and cancer. The impact of these diseases can lead to brain development that can cause methemoglobinemia. In addition, children’s immune systems are less developed than that of adults.

Nation without healthy children is a nation without a future and without tomorrow. The children of Iraq are exposed to gases of bomb and weapons because of the war. Children must be educated in having a healthy environment and must understand the risks of environment. Awareness in the children about environment and verities of pollution is very important for the creating less pollution as it reduces the illness in children and creates the awareness on environmental risks.

I suggest that awareness on environment should become an important scientific article in the education in Iraqian schools. Some of the science articles which are covered at present are not of importance to the environment. Thus, we can create awareness in the present generation to preserve the environment and find solutions to the mistakes committed by their predecessor.

photo by: Omar A. Jassim

www.omaralmansoury.com