31/07/2025

THURSDAY | JULY 31, 2025

6

Local photographer snaps up National Geographic project

KTMB to add extra ETS trips for holidays KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd would provide two additional Electric Train Service trips on the KL Sentral – Padang Besar route and vice versa , in conjunction with the second-term school holidays and upcoming public holidays, including National Day, Maulidur Rasul and Malaysia Day. In a statement, KTMB said the extra services would operate for 18 days across three periods, Aug 28 to Sept 1, Sept 5 to 7 and Sept 12 to 21. Tickets would go on sale at 10am today. “These additional trains would offer 630 seats daily, including business class, for a total of 11,340 seats throughout the 18-day period.” The southbound train would leave Padang Besar at 11.05am and reach KL Sentral by 4.30pm, while the northbound ETS would depart KL Sentral at 5pm and arrive in Padang Besar at 10.20pm. KTMB said the initiative aims to meet increased travel demand during the holiday season and encourage travellers returning to their hometowns to opt for public transport instead of private vehicles to avoid traffic congestion. “This move aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on July 24 of an additional public holiday on Sept 15. It also reflects (our) commitment to providing top-quality service for a comfortable travel experience.” KTMB urged travellers to plan ahead and purchase tickets early to receive affordable, flexible fares and avoid last-minute rushes. Passengers are advised to arrive at stations at least 30 minutes before departure, as ticket gates would close five minutes prior to train departure, the statement said. Travellers could purchase tickets online via the KITS Style app, which offers a range of services on one platform. – Bernama

o Mission to capture worlds’ largest annual land animal migration to begin on Aug 10

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian photographer Tinesh Sritharan has been named a National Geographic Explorer for a wildlife conservation project at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, where he would document the Great Migration, the world’s largest annual movement of terrestrial wildlife such as wildebeest, zebras and gazelles, from Serengeti in Tanzania to the grasslands of Masai Mara. His pitch to the National Geographic Society to document the Great Migration was approved in April and he is set to begin fieldwork at the reserve on Aug 10, which coincides with the peak migration period. “Masai Mara is the heart of the Great Migration. It is not just a visual spectacle but a symbol of balance between nature and people,” he told Bernama. He said his assignment, titled “Echoes of the Savannah”, would be a still photography project, with no video, drone or multimedia formats. “My intent is to tell the story of the migration, not just the river crossings, but the ecological dynamics, predator-prey tension, indigenous perspectives and the conservation challenges that surround it.” His proposal stood out for its emphasis on ecosystem dynamics, including human wildlife conflict, habitat loss and the effects of climate change on animal behaviour and migration patterns.

“This is a story of coexistence, disruption and hope.” To ensure cultural and ecological sensitivity, Tinesh would collaborate with local conservationists, ecologists and indigenous Maasai communities. “Before photographing, I would be consulting guides and researchers who know the land. Their insights would ground my visuals in lived experience.” He added that he had spent months preparing mentally, physically and technically for the fieldwork. Supported by Sony Malaysia, Tinesh would be using a 400mm to 800mm telephoto lens to capture wildlife from a distance without disturbing their behaviour. He said the brand extended its support to his project following a proposal from Wedding Professionals Alliance Malaysia. “The support from Sony Malaysia is not just technical, it is a belief in the mission.” He said he would spend up to 10 days at the reserve capturing the migration, predator-prey dynamics, conservation patrols and indigenous narratives. His deliverables include high resolution images for publication and archiving under the National Geographic editorial platform. “I hope my work would help people realise that these animals are sentient beings in a living system, one that we are part of. “A photograph, when done right, could shift perspectives and lead to change.”

Tinesh said he would spend up to 10 days capturing the migration, predator-prey dynamics, conservation patrols and indigenous narratives.