Malaysian Nature Society tasked with finding the habitat for the fireflies

Ivan Loh The Star 16 Jul 12;

THE Malaysian Nature Society has been tasked by the state government to find suitable areas in Kampung Dew, Kuala Gula, to be gazetted as firefly habitats.

Perak Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Hamidah Osman said the state wanted the recommendations of the society and to seek their expertise on locating such areas in order to revive the dwindling number of fireflies in Kampung Dew.

“The society has already submitted its quotation for an allocation to conduct the study.

“Once their report is completed, I will bring up the matter with the state executive council.

“We need to gazette the area to maintain the eco-system of the fireflies,” she said, adding that the society had been given until the end of the month to submit a report on its findings.

Hamidah revealed that the number of fireflies in Kampung Dew had dropped since last year but denied it had anything to do with the setting up of commercial shrimp farms nearby.

“Reports that pollution is being brought about by the shrimp farms has nothing to do with the dwindling number of fireflies.

“I think it is more of berembang trees being chopped down for development as these trees are the preferred habitat of fireflies,” Hamidah said, adding that she would soon visit Kampung Dew to check out the situation for herself.