Zealous advocate for wetlands
2011/06/08
by Harban Singh
I WAS born at the foothills of Bukit Cina in Malacca, the sixth child in a family of 10 children.
I wanted to be a radio disc-jockey (DJ) and was thrilled to be among the 10 short-listed out of 400 candidates who were interviewed at Rediffusion. But, I was not selected for the job.
Although I made my father happy when I agreed to go to teachers' training college, the only thing I enjoyed there was playing hockey and being cheered on by the girls.
In 1983, I started my career in Human Resource Management as a pioneer staff with General Electric (USA) based in Muar, and later at their operations in Kota Tinggi.
I have since worked with several multi-national corporations and gained wide experience in HR development, including organisational development, setting systems, training, safety and sports organisation.
In 1986, I joined the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and discovered my passion for the environment.
I became an Endau-Rompin nature park volunteer. I have been an MNS council member since 2008 and travelled widely with the MNS and on my own to nature parks and heritage sites in Europe and the US.
In Asia, I had many adventures in Japan, Taiwan and Nepal, including trekking the Himalayas, Karakoram in Pakistan and climbing Mount Kinabalu twice.
Some of the best landscapes I've seen were during the five times I scaled Gunung Tahan, the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia.
My training and experience as a fire-fighter, and diver, and knowledge of first-aid came in handy when I was group leader for four of these climbs. My last climb in 2006 was particularly memorable because my teenage daughter, Karen Kaur, completed the climb with me.
In 2004, I joined Johor National Parks Corporation as Ramsar park manager to manage three of Johor's Ramsar wetland parks.
Malaysia has six Ramsar parks, and three are in Johor. My task is to manage the natural habitats and implement conservation while promoting tourism through training, education and research activities.
I also implemented other plans to ensure that the Ramsar obligations are met to preserve the biodiversity of the mangrove ecosystems and ensure that advancement is achieved in harmony with the community's livelihoods, nature and the environment.
After the 2004 Asian tsunami, the general public had a better understanding of the importance of mangroves, which are vital to the natural ecosystem.
Besides protecting the coastline from erosion and surge storms, their massive root systems are efficient at dissipating wave energy. When I was doing my Wetlands management course with the Netherlands based UNESCO-IHE Institute for water education in 2007, I was shocked to discover that there was no module on mangroves.
This was an opportunity for me to specialise in mangroves because they are predominantly found in Southeast Asia.
Today mangroves are the "jewels" of Iskandar Malaysia because potential investors in Johor are keen to know how our environment is being preserved as the state is developing rapidly.
They are interested in sustainability and often visit our Ramsar sites on eco-tours to enjoy attractions like village home stays and observe how the fishermen earn their livelihood.
I have had the privilege to be a guide for distinguished guests such professors from universities including Harvard University, the deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba, and the Korean Ambassador to Singapore.
I believe more can be done for eco-tourism in Johor especially the niche market for ecotourists and researchers.
The tours should involve the indigenous people like the Jakun in the Endau-Rompin National Park, highlighting their culture and promoting their handicrafts such as woven baskets and wood-based products.
The tourism ministry can partner with MNS and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to create a blueprint for tour packages that include nature guide, porters and even a cook.
I moved to Pontian after living in Kota Tinggi for 10 years and I was sad to see that the forest and its eco system along the river had been developed into a new town.
Known as the riparian zone, this area supported important wildlife habitats.
In 2006, 2007, and this year, the town was hit by massive floods during the rainy season.
The river bursts its banks and thousands of people suffered when the town was inundated because now there is no riparian zone to absorb the excess water.
Recently, I compiled a guidebook as a reference for tour guides, teachers and students entitled A pictorial guide to Tanjung Piai Johor National Park. This is a step towards educating the public in the four components of natural resource management with education through communication, education and public awareness (CEPA), conservation, research and ecotourism.
I encourage everyone to be aware of their role in natural resource management and I echo Charles Darwin who said: "It is not the strongest of the species that survive nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
Harban Singh, 56, is a professional trainer who is passionate about the preservation of our wetlands.
Interview by Peggy Loh
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