Source : The Star, Malaysia, 16 Jan '05
By : V. P. Sujata
  

Digging for tin ore is expected to start soon at a former mining pond in the park, located at Kampung Pisang, here, which has not been gazetted a nature park and wildlife sanctuary.

	BREEDING SITE: This heronry on one of the many islands in the park is home to more than 2,000 birds.

The park is said to have 129 bird species, including 70 that were accorded “Totally Protected” status under the Wildlife Act 1972.

A heronry with more than 2,000 birds is also found on one of the many islands in the park.

The state government, which administered the park earlier, handed over management to the state’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) last month.

State Perhilitan director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said department enforcement officers discovered the setting up of a mining dredge at one of the lakes in the park last week.

“The workers there said the Kinta District Office had approved the licence for mining but we do not know how far this is true,” she said, adding that such activities could not be disallowed, as the park had yet to be gazetted as a nature park.

She added that Perhilitan officers could only check on poaching and protect endangered animals.

The check by the department was made after the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) complained about the setting up of the dredge at the park.

MNS member Lim Kim Chye, who proposed developing the park during discussions with the Kinta district office several years ago, said the state government spent about RM600,000 to build park facilities such as an observation tower, a viewing platform and several shelters.

But the structures were not managed properly, he said, adding that some “undesirable activities” were also taking place at the park such as fishing and sailing on pontoons.

Lim, a former MNS ornithological officer, said there was an urgent need to protect such areas for their tourism, conservation, education and heritage values.

“ Tin mining may not be as economical in the long run as tourism would be,” he said.

Lim said the state government should continue with its earlier plan to include the park in a tour package of historical Batu Gajah, which includes the Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort, Kellie’s Castle, the Tin Museum in Chenderong and Gua Tempurung in Gopeng.