S. Ista Kyra New Straits Times 3 Jul 12;
CALL FOR HELP: Villagers want govt to act quickly
TAIPING: ON a moonless night, most fishermen would not risk going to the river without a torchlight.
But for those in Kampung Dew, near here, it is the best time to enjoy the luminescence from thousands of fireflies on the trees lining the banks of Sungai Sepetang.
Fisherman Yusop Ishak, or Wahab as he is fondly known as, recalled a time when the natural glow from the insects was so bright that it was redundant to rely on any equipment for light.
"It was not necessary to hold a torchlight or lantern to manoeuvre in the river.
"It was bright enough for us to see what catch we had netted in our traps.
"But that was more than 50 years ago."
The 60-year-old, who was born and bred in the village, said the scene remained the same today, albeit with a slightly lower luminosity.
"The firefly population was at its peak back then and the residents have been carefully trying to preserve their number.
"We know there are at least some 140 trees here which are frequently lit up with the glow of the insects."
However, Yusop has noticed that the number of fireflies has been dropping since last year following the establishment of commercial shrimp ponds in the area.
Representative for the education, awareness and publicity of Kampung Dew fireflies, Shukor Ishak, 42, said pollution from the shrimp ponds had affected the ecosystem and the firefly habitat.
"The shrimp pond tanks are cleaned and disinfected with lime water solutions and other chemicals.
"These are then disposed of into the river without being treated and without any filtration system, causing pollution."
There are about 46 shrimp ponds spread over 35ha.
"We suspect the pollution is killing a species of snails which the fireflies feed on.
"The snails are usually found at the base of Nipah trees and known to be sensitive to water conditions.
"Since these snails are diminishing in number, the firefly colony is also getting smaller," he said.
Shukor said a study conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the Malaysian Nature Society showed that no other animals in the area were preying on the fireflies.
"Therefore, in order to maintain the colony of fireflies, we need to only ensure that the balance in their habitat is not disturbed."
He said in February, village representatives had met state government officials to ask for at least 50m of the river banks be gazetted to prevent further encroachment by commercial shrimp ponds and other activities that might disturb the fireflies.
"However, we have not heard anything from them since."
Shukor said gazetting was important to the villagers who depended on the firefly attraction to boost their income.
He said there were some 100 households in the village, comprising mostly fishermen, who doubled up as tourist guides during the holiday season.
"At least 21 of them have been trained and qualified to give explanations about the insects to local and foreign tourists.
"They are also able to take tourists to view other animal attractions here, such as rare birds and crocodiles.
"The demand for their services is strong, especially foreigners from Canada and the United States."
Shukor pointed out that during the promotions for Visit Perak Year 2012, Kampung Dew was named as having the highest tourism potential in the state.
He, however, said there was a need to upgrade facilities in the village to better cater for tourists.
"Currently, tourists who visit have to spend the night in Taiping or Penang as there are no homestays available here.
"There is a lack of funding to create basic amenities such as toilets and a proper parking area."
Shukor said despite the firefly jetty being located just 100m from the North-South Expressway's Taiping Utara toll plaza exit, signboards to the place were obscure.
"We hope the state government will help us in providing assistance to upgrade facilities as well as protect the firefly colony here from disappearing."
