| I was disturbed to read today that the frogs | | | | nearby oil palm estates that bring |
| from the Tasek Chini were no longer singing. | | | | fertilisers and pesticides into the lake |
| They have practically disappeared. This may | | | | |
| not seemed strange to you, in fact, you may | | | | 4. stop illegal logging activities near the |
| not have any idea where Tasek Chini is . | | | | lake |
| After all, it "was" a beautiful large mass of | | | | |
| freshwater lake in the tropical forests of | | | | 5. disallow opening of land within the forest |
| Malaysia. It "was" because it now no longer | | | | near the lake |
| is beautiful as it was, with pollution levels | | | | |
| reportedly 56 times higher than is considered | | | | 6. introducing programs to empower the |
| healthy, and worse, this is right inside the | | | | aborigines called Jakun living in the |
| tropical jungle. | | | | surrounding areas of the lakes so that they |
| | | | continue to live there with their traditional |
| The frogs are not the only ones disappearing. | | | | resources that are linked to biodiversity |
| The fishes, cobras, pythons are also | | | | conservation. |
| diminishing in numbers. Weeds called the | | | | |
| "Cat's Tail" have proliferated, snuffing out | | | | Most important of all is education to |
| important sunlight that would allow organisms | | | | children on the importance of the lake and |
| to grow. | | | | introduce them to the lifestyle of the |
| | | | aborgines living off the land surrounding the |
| This is worrying enough for some concrete | | | | lake. These aborigines lived in harmony with |
| action to be taken to revive the ecosystem. | | | | the animals, plants and environment and they |
| In retrospect, how can action be taken to | | | | ensure the survival of the lake. |
| protect the environment, or a delicate | | | | |
| ecosystem such as Tasek Chini, or any other | | | | Now if you do have a lake in your area where |
| lake in the world? | | | | you are living, ensure that the frogs stll |
| | | | sing. Frogs are a good barometer of the |
| Here at Tasek Chini I read about the | | | | environment. Frogs are declining due to |
| Sustainable Development Network or SUSDEN | | | | habitat destruction, contamination, predation |
| which is running the Save Tasik Chini | | | | and genetic pollution. Will the frogs sing |
| Campaign since August 2004, and these are | | | | again at Tasek Cini? We do not know yet, but |
| remedial steps taken by the authorities and | | | | there is one thing we do know. Irregardless |
| the Non Government organisations in concert | | | | of where we are, if we save the frogs, we may |
| to step the decline: | | | | be able to save our lives too. |
| | | | |
| 1. Collect and remove fallen trees and weeds | | | | Peter Lim is a Certified Financial Planner |
| that choke the lake | | | | who loves the outdoors. Now, where it is not |
| | | | possible to go to enjoy the great outdoors |
| 2. reduce the pollution that comes from newly | | | | and the lakes everyday, we can still enjoy |
| developed training camps for National Service | | | | the fresh air and scenery right in front of |
| that have been built near the lake | | | | our own homes during summer with our patio |
| | | | chairs. |
| 3. reduce the industrial pollution from | | | | |