Discoveries Support Urgent Protection For Batu Caves


 


For the millions of tourists who thronged Batu Caves in pre-Covid-19 times, and even for the residents who live nearby, the limestone hill is known only for its colourful Hindu temple and the Thaipusam festival.
Overshadowed is the hill’s scientific importance. Batu Caves is the best-studied limestone hill in Southeast Asia with many valuable natural history characteristics which are threatened.
In fact, is there even anything of scientific value left to conserve? The answer is a resounding “yes” according to a recent scientific expedition.
Solid evidence
Sixty-four researchers from 10 organisations have reconfirmed the limestone hill as a site of geological, paleontological and biological importance.
Additionally, they have confirmed the threats to these values, identified as manifold and immediate.
Their efforts showed that despite the many developments and encroachments on Batu Caves, there remains plenty of past, present and future scientific values to be protected.
The findings of the expedition were presented in a symposium in September.



Screenshot of the 2020 Batu Caves Scientific Expedition Symposium showing snail researcher Foon Junn Kit presenting species likely to be endemic to the site. (Malaysian Cave and Karst Conservancy) 


The discoveries include new mammal fossils dating back to the Pleistocene period (66,000–33,000 years ago); a new yam species and 12 snail species believed to be endemic (restricted) to Batu Caves.
The expedition, led by NGO, the Malaysian Cave and Karst Conservancy (MCKC), also saw preliminary studies on cave morphology indicating the long history of Kuala Lumpur’s karst evolution.
In addition, scientists made the first-ever Batu Caves checklists of respectively, mosses and liverworts, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and nocturnal animals.
Danger, danger
But the expedition also found many immediate threats to the ecosystems.
Researchers recorded many invasive species, from butterflies to dogs and plants. These, as well as human activities, have impacted or are threatening the limestone hill’s rich and unique geology and biodiversity.
“The basic message is you need a management authority which can do the enforcement and maintain the site,” said botanist Ruth Kiew, one of the leaders of the expedition.

The scientifically-important limestone hill that is Batu Caves is completely surrounded by dense infrastructure; pictured here in 2016.
A giant karst tower that soars up to 329 metres, Batu Caves covers 2.6 square kilometres and is completely surrounded by urban sprawl.
Since British colonial times, the hill has been an important Hindu religious site, a magnet for visitors and tourists, and a source of quarrying for limestone.
More recently, it has become a rock-climbing centre with an international reputation while educational and recreational caving became popular in the 2000s.
Century-old research site
The site has drawn scientists and cavers from the time colonials discovered it. In fact, the first scientific study was conducted 130 years ago.
The records of the animals of a single cave, Dark Cave, are also the most comprehensive of any cave in the region, while botanically, it is the best-sampled karst hill in the country.
Yet, the 2019 expedition continued to unearth new findings, attesting to there being much more to learn about the site.


In recognition of its natural history value, Batu Caves has been classified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area nationally, said MCKC.
However, it has never received protected area status of any kind nor had there been a management plan drawn up for it.
In fact, even its boundaries are unclear. Unsustainable development has decimated any buffer around it, raising concerns of public safety from rockfalls and threats to the hill’s fragile biodiversity.
But managing the site is tricky because of the multiple groups who have a stake in Batu Caves.
Keeping everyone happy
Batu Caves currently sits on state land and comes under the jurisdiction of the Selayang Municipal Council.
Other stakeholders include scientists, kampung communities, temple committee members, worshippers, recreational rock climbers and cavers and tour guides.
To have a chance at convincing the authorities and the many stakeholders to grant Batu Caves legal protection, there needs scientific evidence.


Dark Cave, already well researched for its fauna, yielded new information on geology.

Fortunately, when MCKC embarked on this endeavour, conservationists rose to the occasion, said Kiew.
“MCKC is very small. But when we put out requests for people to join us (in the expedition), there was a very strong feeling from all the people we encountered that something has to be done about Batu Caves.
“We can’t let it carry on being chewed away.”
Groups who were involved included the Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch Special Interest Groups, Cave Management Group, River Of Life Public Outreach Programme, Damai Extreme Park, Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia, Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES), Eco Knights, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia and public universities.


At least 20 expedition findings from the expedition will be published in a special issue of a local scientific journal. For the public, a guidebook has been produced too.
This comprehensive and updated science-based argument provides a solid basis for legal protection, said MCKC president Zubaid Akbar Mukhtar Ahmad.
“With that, we can come up with a proper management plan to be presented to the state government to hopefully gazette the area as a protected area.”
Stakeholder buy-in
The government has already demonstrated support for scientific research and findings. The Selayang Municipal Council backed the expedition, with some funding also coming from other Selangor state agencies.
In addition, the Menteri Besar of Selangor was represented at the symposium by his political secretary; the Menteri Besar is the district’s legislative state representative.
To ensure buy-in from the public, MCKC also ran 20 public awareness programmes, many targeting local communities.
Led by MCKC committee member and bat researcher Nur Atiqah Abd Rahman, these included engagement with village heads through discussions, sharing sessions and educational caving trips, as well as on-site booths and public talks for locals and the public.
Local concerns
“Village heads actually also care about encroachment on Batu Caves,” said Atiqah.
“And they actually know very little about the biodiversity and geology of the hill. When we shared scientific knowledge with them, they said it was important to educate people who live around Batu Caves, especially the young generation.
“In fact, they approached us to do more educational activities,” she said.

Zubaid (left) giving a natural history briefing to Batu Caves’ village heads and villagers at Kampung Nakhoda.
At the end of the day, the conservation of Batu Caves must make sense to all stakeholders.
“Gazetting cannot be top-down. Local people must see the benefit. Most people don’t realise there is more to Batu Caves than the temple. It must benefit the state government and local people,” said Zubaid.
MCKC is continuing local community outreach with plans to put up signboards with scientific information on-site and selling the guidebook, said Atiqah.
“Conservation is long term. And lots of parties play a role,” she said.
A management plan and legal protection are on the cards. Covid-19 has thrown a curveball at timelines, but MCKC is awaiting engagement with the government to bring the area’s conservation to the next stage.

This article was originally published on Macaranga, a journalism portal covering environment and sustainability in Malaysia.
Disclaimer: SL Wong was involved in an early draft of the guidebook. - Mkini
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2020/11/discoveries-support-urgent-protection.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MalaysiansMustKnowTheTruth+%28Malaysians+Mu

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Pkr Mp No Blank Cheque Support For Budget 2021

Pkr Mp No Blank Cheque Support For Budget 2021

papar berkaitan - pada 15/11/2020 - jumlah : 220 hits
The Perikatan Nasional government should not expect blank cheque support from all MPs for Budget 2021 said PKR s Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim Hassan said all MPs have taken an oath to protect public interest and the Federal Constitution hen...
Dr Mahathir Pejuang Reserve Support For Budget 2021

Dr Mahathir Pejuang Reserve Support For Budget 2021

papar berkaitan - pada 13/11/2020 - jumlah : 165 hits
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and three Independent MPs representing the yet to be registered Parti Pejuang Tanah Air have decided to reserve their support for the 2021 Budget The former prime minister said he hoped the wise suggestions raised du...
Chinese Support For Umno As High As For Dap Not More Says Think Tank

Chinese Support For Umno As High As For Dap Not More Says Think Tank

papar berkaitan - pada 18/11/2020 - jumlah : 261 hits
Survey shows Umno getting 25 support from Chinese community while DAP had 17 PETALING JAYA A think tank has clarified that its survey findings indicate that the Chinese community s support for Umno is as high as its support for DAP and not ...
Zahid Calls For Confidence Motion To Test Support For Pm

Zahid Calls For Confidence Motion To Test Support For Pm

papar berkaitan - pada 19/11/2020 - jumlah : 188 hits
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has openly called for a motion to test support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in what is likely an indication of an attempt by the Umno president to revive his plan to bring down the Perikatan Nasional government He ...
Batu Sapi Emergency Precedent For Preventing Elections During Crisis

Batu Sapi Emergency Precedent For Preventing Elections During Crisis

papar berkaitan - pada 20/11/2020 - jumlah : 215 hits
The declaration of a state of emergency in the Batu Sapi parliamentary constituency will be a precedent and model that can be applied to prevent any election if required in the event of a crisis in the future According to Universiti Malaysi...
Ec Sends Out Voter Cards For Batu Sapi By Election

Ec Sends Out Voter Cards For Batu Sapi By Election

papar berkaitan - pada 6/11/2020 - jumlah : 205 hits
Election Commission has sent out voter cards to voters in Batu Sapi ahead of the parliamentary by election next month BERNAMA File picSANDAKAN The Election Commission has sent out voter cards to 32 962 registered constituents comprising 1 8...
Ocm To Continue Pressing For Pension For Olympians Norza

Ocm To Continue Pressing For Pension For Olympians Norza

papar berkaitan - pada 7/11/2020 - jumlah : 155 hits
The Olympic Council of Malaysia will remain resolute in its pursuit to convince the government to introduce a pension scheme for Olympians OCM president Mohamad Norza Zakaria said he would meet Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina...
Malaysia S Underpaid Under Appreciated And Under Quarantine Cops And Still Nothing In Store For Them In The Budget

Malaysia S Underpaid Under Appreciated And Under Quarantine Cops And Still Nothing In Store For Them In The Budget

papar berkaitan - pada 7/11/2020 - jumlah : 304 hits
Cops to continue singing the bluesPuchong 7 Nov Tengku Zafrul s maiden Budget bears many gifts for poorer Malaysians hit hardest by the pandemic and the economic woes caused by it but and it s a big BUT the Minister of Finance may have over...
Ikea Damansara Closed For One Day After Staff Suspected Of Covid 19 Infection

Ikea Damansara Closed For One Day After Staff Suspected Of Covid 19 Infection

papar berkaitan - pada 7/11/2020 - jumlah : 231 hits
COVID 19 Ikea Damansara will be closing the outlet today for one day after a part time employee was suspected of having Covid 19 We have been informed on Nov 6 that one of our part time co workers is suspected of Covid 19 and is currently u...
Fungi Wechat Yang Ramai Tak Tahu

Ziana Zain Duta Rasmi Csa Academy

Asan Lembu The Movie

Di Masjid Muhammadiyah Nurul Yakin Paus Quran Dan Sains By Dr Hm Raki

Hospital Kuala Pilah

Ramadan Bazaars 2024 Exploring The Culinary Delights Of Selangor S Ramadan Bazaars

Saya Dan Rafizi Tiada Isu Peribadi Kata Puad

Hallway Wall Art Mockup For A Sophisticated Look



Koleksi 15 Lagu Hari Raya Terbaru Yang Meriahkan Aidilfitri 2024 Bakal Evergreen Bak Lagu Lama

6 Pantang Larang Penting Kalau Nak Selamat di Sekolah Asrama

Info Dan Sinopsis Filem 19 Puasa Playboys Of Plastik Hitam Astro First

Casimir Zeglen Paderi Yang Mencipta Jaket Kalis Peluru

Biodata Mohammad Rifdean Masdor Atlet Muay Thai Malaysia Yang Gegarkan One Championship Seangkatan Johan Ghazali Jojo


Lelaki Lihat Lembaga Besar Semasa Solat Berjemaah

Tawarkan Lebih Pilihan Pembiayaan Kepada Mahasiswa

Hari Ini 2 Al Hamdulillah Padi Dalam Pasu

Menu Sahur

Terkejut Jumpa Segenggam Paku Dalam Lemang

Pemain Newcastle Tonali Dituduh Melanggar Peraturan Pertaruhan Bahasa Inggeris