Keep nature’s lights burning
WE are extremely saddened and disappointed by the mangrove habitat deforestation in Kampung Dew, near Taiping as reported in “Deforestation in Kg Dew destroys firefly habitat” (Metro Perak, Sept 23).
Apart from the obvious detrimental effects to the environment, which we are both passionate about protecting, we are also concerned over this development because Kampung Dew has a special place in our hearts.
Through the inaugural ASEAN Youth Volunteers Programme (AYVP) in 2013, 96 passionate youths from SouthEast Asia were brought to Malaysia. Of this number, about 25 were sent to Kampung Dew to learn how ecotourism could help uplift the livelihood of rural communities.
At the project site, they managed to enhance the natural surroundings of the jetty area and produce information, education and communication (IEC) materials in the form of pamphlets and websites for the benefit of the villagers in Kampung Dew. All this work will be lost if the deforestation continues.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Kampung Dew to see the natural phenomenon that are the fireflies. This provides a source of income to the villagers in the surrounding areas both directly, through offering of boat services and homestay accommodation, and indirectly, as they are able to enjoy better facilities that come with tourism.
This is in fact a more sustainable form of income for the villagers. Deforestation for timber may bring instant profits from the sale of wood but mangrove habitats take a long time to regenerate.
And while they regenerate, the local community will not have any income.
As for the stars of the mangroves, these fingernailsized beetles light up the night by blinking (bioluminescing) in unison like lights on Christmas trees. The only difference is it is Christmas every night in Kampung Dew!
During our stay, we were lucky enough to witness this marvel of nature and we both agree that we are lost for words when asked to describe it. One must truly witness this amazing display personally to truly appreciate the fireflies.
Malaysians must realise that not all mangrove areas have these fireflies. There are only a few main sites where there are healthy populations of fireflies in Peninsular Malaysia, including Kuala Selangor, Setiu and Kampung Dew itself.
This is due to the abundance of the Berembang mangrove ( Sonneratia caseolaris) which fireflies depend on for food. They feed on the dew excreted by the said tree, hence it would be a crying shame if this special site is lost to wanton deforestation.
In the past, there was talk about gazetting the site as a protected area. However, as we understand from the reports, these discussions have yet to yield results.
Nonetheless, all is not lost. We urge the Perak state government to expedite the gazetting of the remaining mangroves in Kampung Dew to protect this wonder of Malaysian nature for posterity. Perhaps private companies or GLCs can play a role in their conservation as well.
We sincerely hope that through such protection, our children, grandchildren and their children will be able to see these fireflies.