23/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 23, 2025

22

LYFE

M Y story starts with the grey, cold, concrete city of Leicester, located in middle England, so far away from the abundance of biodiversity we see in Malaysia. But in 2020, we were offered a chance to come and live here in Malaysia. Working at the Monash’s Climate Change Communication Research Hub, Malaysia (MCCCRH), I have come to feel, with aching clarity, the weight of climate change, how it strikes hardest at Southeast Asia, a land teeming with life, where nature blooms in countless forms. Yet still, the region rises: resilient, radiant, woven with colours of courage, culture and cuisine. Malaysia, in particular, is a treasure – its richness not only in people and traditions, but echoing through its forests, its creatures, its vibrant flora and fauna. A tapestry of diversity, endlessly unfolding. I had meticulously planned it. I knew a holiday in Borneo was going to be special, not only because I am a nature lover but because so many people say Sabah and Sarawak is a must-visit place if you call Malaysia your home. its extraordinary biodiversity. From the bellowing, protruding proboscis monkeys to the graceful, gentle pygmy elephants, orangutans, turtles and rhinoceros hornbills, we were eager to experience these natural wonders firsthand. Sandakan is home to a dazzling array of wildlife. We were lucky to have met many animals in the wild and in special conservation centres set up to encourage their safety and sanctuary. We met: 0 Proboscis monkeys, known for their unique noses, inhabit mangrove forests but face habitat loss due to deforestation. Currently, we know there is an 80% decline in population (last count estimated 16,500 left in the wild). 0 Pygmy elephants, the smallest elephant species, are struggling with fragmented habitats caused by palm Heart of nature is in Borneo Sabah is renowned for

Orangutans, critically endangered, are often displaced as forests are cleared for agriculture. issue. Programmes such as Reef Check Malaysia work with locals to promote environmental education and resource recovery. However, the scale of pollution remains a significant challenge for locals. Deforestation, plastic pollution On a very wet afternoon, the river was high and the skies were heavy. In our ponchos and raincoats, we braved the weather while cruising along the Kinabatangan River in Sandakan. We observed how deforestation has fragmented habitats into narrow strips along waterways. Palm oil plantations dominate much of Sabah’s landscape, leaving wildlife with limited space to roam. This fragmentation increases human-wildlife conflict and threatens species survival. Our family holiday was awe-inspiring and sobering. While Sandakan’s wildlife left us mesmerised, the visible impacts of human activity – deforestation along riversides and plastic waste on Mantanani Island were stark reminders of our environmental footprint. As stewards of this planet, it is imperative that we act decisively to preserve its treasures, not just for ourselves but for future generations. Call for action: Harmony with nature Observing Sandakan’s biodiversity loss alongside Mantanani Island’s plastic crisis highlights the urgency for action. Here are steps we can take: 0 Support conservation efforts: Sanctuaries such as Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Sunbear Conservation centre and initiatives such as Reef Check Malaysia play vital roles in protecting species and ecosystems. 0 Reduce plastic use: Opt for reusable items and support programmes that address plastic waste management. 0 Advocate for sustainable practices: Encourage businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, such as sustainable palm oil production. 0 Educate communities: Share experiences such as ours to inspire awareness and action against environmental threats. This article is contributed by Monash University Malaysia’s Climate Change Communication Research Hub postdoctoral research fellow (climate change and health communication) Raksha Pandya-Wood

Preserving Borneo The rhinoceros hornbill depends on old-growth trees for nesting but the latter are disappearing rapidly.

o Environmental threats require action

spotted orangutans in the wild around the Gomantong Cave forest. 0 Turtles, vital to marine ecosystems, are threatened by plastic waste that pollutes nesting beaches and oceans. We visited Selingan Island where mama turtles go to lay their eggs. 0 The rhinoceros hornbill, a symbol of Borneo’s forests, depends on old-growth trees for nesting – trees that are rapidly disappearing. We spotted these along the Kinabatangan River and also in Sepilok’s dense and beautiful forest. The rhinoceros hornbill is near threatened, meaning that populations are decreasing. During our visit to sanctuaries such as Labuk Bay and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, we marvelled at these creatures while learning about the challenges they face due to human activity. However, our trip also revealed pressing environmental challenges. We saw deforestation and a level of plastic pollution I had not imagined. Mantanani Island: Plastic crisis Mantanani Island is a tropical

paradise located northwest of Sabah. We went here for a day to snorkel and have lunch on the beach. I went for a stroll with my daughter and we quickly spotted an alarming amount of plastic waste scattered across the other side of its pristine beach. While its coral lagoons and white sandy beaches were stunning, the sight of plastic waste strewn across the shores was disheartening. Plastic pollution dominates the island’s inter-tidal zones, harming marine life and affecting the health of local communities. Waste materials are often burned or discarded directly into the sea, exacerbating environmental damage. Our research – a national survey of Malaysian understanding of climate change at the MCCCRH from 2024 – showed that 67% of Malaysians do recycle their waste and 68% do not support open burning of rubbish. These findings offer hope that the vast majority of Malaysians are in favour of looking after our precious planet. Further, efforts such as the Mantanani Plastic Recycling Centre have been initiated to address this

oil plantations. We spotted three herds along the Kinabatangan River on a cruise one evening. WWF Malaysia estimate that there are 1,500 to 2,000 left in the wild. 0 Orangutans, critically endangered and just 104,700 left in Borneo, are displaced as forests are cleared for agriculture. We were lucky to have

Proboscis monkeys face habitat loss due to deforestation.

Pygmy elephants face shrinking forest corridors caused by oil palm plantations.