(MY) losing natural beauty

[Guest guest]

Tuesday June 20, 2006-The Star

 

We're not doing enough for our islands

 

I'M so proud that our country has some of the world's best beaches, coral

reefs and natural sites.

 

However, a trip to Perhentian Island got me thinking that we're losing our

natural beauty to irresponsible tourists, tour operators and even local

residents!

 

The islands should be better protected and conserved.

 

Nothing beats walking on the beach on a breezy morning. Yet, what a sad

sight it is too see rubbish strewn all over the coastline, from mineral

water bottles to junk food packets.

 

What about the corals along the shorelines? After island-hopping around

Perhentian and some spots in Lang Tengah and Redang, I'm very sad to say

that a lot of the coral is either dead or dying.

 

The corals have lost their colours and my heart goes out to the poor fish

and other sea creatures that depend heavily on the reefs for food and

protection.

 

At our final snorkelling spot, I saw a couple busy collecting items from

underwater. The wife was using the husband's life-jacket to temporarily hold

some corals which she fancied. How innovative!

 

I asked the wife about the items and she swam away, ignoring me. Then I

questioned their guide, who told me " If not caught, it's OK. "

 

Afterwards, I found the husband who had just surfaced with a large oyster

shell. I asked him, " Excuse me, do you know that this is not allowed? "

 

He answered, " Just looking, " smiled, and swam off to rejoin his wife and

guide. The three of them then stood on a huge rock to assess their

" treasures " . The guard even advised them which items could be safely taken

back – the oyster shell, he said, was a bit too big and " risky. "

 

I was shocked and devastated. Are the guides so short-sighted that they do

not realise this couple and the many other irresponsible tourists they serve

are slowly plucking away their very livelihood?

 

If they do not educate the visitors and protect the reefs, who else is in a

better position to do it? Tour operators should know that eco-tourism is the

way to ensure that tourists keep coming back well into the future.

 

The residents should be taught how to keep their beautiful beaches and seas

clean. The tourists, more importantly, should always be reminded to never

pick corals and to dispose of their waste properly.

 

If all parties don't play their part, our islands will soon lose their

natural beauty forever. Like it or not, this could happen in our lifetime.

 

 

 

*Jane Aw

 

blog.thestar.com.my*