DAGES Newsletter_January 2021

DAGES NEWS

DISTRICT ACTION GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

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ROTARY COMMITS TO SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT

ZOO NEGARA - A ROTARY INITIATIVE COMES A FULL CIRCLE

BUKIT KIARA - A HAVEN FOR NATURE LOVERS

• JANUARY 2021 •

L E A D E R S H I P

PP DR DHILEEPAN NAIR

PAG BHARAT GORASIA

OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR RESPONSIBILITY Message from Co-Chairmen of DAGES Dear Rotarians, We are pleased to report here the activities and projects undertaken by our District Action Group on Environmental Sustainability (DAGES) District 3300 for the first half of RY2020/21. We wish to thank all our committee members for their tireless efforts to get the wheels of DAGES moving.

LUAS has been engaging with the local community at Bestari Jaya and community members are involved in weekly activities at the Park.

Rotary Peace Park Malaysia at Bestari Jaya, Selangor is a project we took up in collaboration with LUAS (Lembaga Urus Air Selangor) in 2019. It is a long-term project focusing on afforestation of the area, promoting environmental conservation and education, water resource protection and socio-economic development of the rural communities in the area.

LUAS has just completed their Operations Centre next to our Rotary Peace Pole and there are meeting rooms, an activity deck, pantry and washroom/bath provisions. A camping area, kayaking, fishing and community garden are other facilities available at this location which could be utilised by Rotary Clubs and the public. Our District has just approved a District grant (under Rotary Club of Melawati) for the startup of a tree nursery that will be managed by the local community.

We would like to record our appreciation to LUAS for their unwavering support and commitment in ensuring the success and sustainability of the Park.

In spite of the CMCO, a number of Rotary Clubs in Klang Valley undertook tree planting, gotong royong and other activities at the Peace Park.

Our participation in the Recycle for Life project for schools in Klang Valley has completely stopped in year 2020 due to school closures. We hope to revive it with our partner organisation Cenviro Sdn Bhd when schools reopen.

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L E A D E R S H I P We plan to conduct environmental awareness forums and workshops via Zoom meetings commencing in March 2021 to promote environmental activities and causes that Rotary Clubs can undertake in their communities.

The fight against climate change has just become far more urgent, and could become the greatest challenge of survival for mankind — ever. The evidence is clear: climate change is now occurring faster. The acceleration of global warming is nearly unstoppable – unless we act now, and unless we act ambitiously, together, as a global community.

A Rotary Rotaract Climate Conference is being organised on 4 July 2021 and the Organising Team is headed by PP Dr Kong Voon Sin and advised by DGE Dato Bindi Rajasegaran. A number of prominent speakers have been invited for this online event and this event, hopefully, will be the catalyst for Rotarians and Rotaractors to get involved in environmental sustainability activities in their communities.

Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy - the environment. Rotary International has recognised that tackling environmental issues are paramount to the success of Rotary’s humanitarian projects worldwide and “Supporting the Environment” has become Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development. Grant applications for projects will be accepted beginning on 1 July 2021.

Rotary International is now committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. Rotary Clubs can empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. Rotary members are already tackling environmental issues the way they always do: coming up with projects, using their connections to change policies and planning for the future.

We pray for an early end of the COVID19 global crisis and look forward to the world returning to normalcy in the near future.

Thank you for your support.

DAGES COMMITTEE RY 2020-21 ADVISOR PDG DR BASKARAN GOBALA KRISHNAN

CO-CHAIRMEN PP DR DHILEEPAN NAIR PAG BHARAT GORASIA

MEMBERS PP LOOI KOK KHEONG PP S SUBRAMANIAM IPP P. BALRAJJ PP ASOKAN KANDIAH PP OLIVIA LIM PP AR. LIM FANG KEONG PAG EDWIN SEIBEL RTN SURESH UNNIKRISHNAN IAG NIRINDER JOHL PE MAHENDRAN DANIEL PE AJIT SINGH RTN RAJENDRA KULASEGARAN AG SHANKAR KAILAINATHAN PRESIDENT IR DR KRIBANANDAN GURUSAMY NAIDU PP CLEMENT SINNAPAR PP ANG SOON GIN RTN ALAN CHAN HONG FATT RTN RAJA YASMIN RAJA YUSOF

ROTARY SHARES AN INTEREST IN PROTECTING OUR COMMON LEGACY THE ENVIRONMENT.

PP DR DHILEEPAN NAIR & PAG BHARAT GORASIA

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E N V I R O N M E N T A L

S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

ROTARY COMMITS TO SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ROTARIAN ACTION GROUP (ESRAG)

DISTRICT ACTION GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (DAGES)

Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) assists Rotary clubs, districts and multi-districts in planning, implementing and evaluating service projects, building awareness, and inspiring action. These projects promote environmental sustainability, awareness of climate change, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate climate disruption.

Formed in RY2018-2019, DAGES creates environmental awareness about issues prevalent in our society and communities, inspires actions, and assists in developing projects and initiatives to address these issues through Interact Clubs, Rotaract Clubs and Rotary Clubs.

ESRAG promotes educational resources, initiates dialogue about environmental sustainability, and uses best practices in models and assessments for both projects and daily choices. This work advances the Object of Rotary through positive impacts in all six Areas of Focus.

The objectives are to: create environmental awareness about issues prevalent in our society and communities and assist in developing projects and initiatives to address these issues through Interact Clubs, Rotaract Clubs and Rotary Clubs assist Rotary Clubs in implementing service projects, building awareness, and inspiring action toward environmental sustainability. assist Rotary Clubs to work and coordinate with local authorities, government agencies, corporates and NGOs towards environmental stewardship for the benefit of their communities.

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E N V I R O N M E N T A L

S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y

District Action Group on Environmental Sustainability (DAGES) focuses on four areas: Conservation which includes zero waste, wildlife protection, and recycle for life; Signature Parks; Love Our Rivers; and Plant a Tree.

The following are the Committee Members In-Charge of each focus area:

CONSERVATION - ZERO WASTE, WILDLIFE PROTECTION, RECYCLE FOR LIFE

SIGNATURE PARKS - PEACE PARKS AND FRIENDSHIP PARKS

SURESH UNNIKRISHNAN

CLEMENT SINNAPAR & S SUBRAMANIAM

Recycle For Life partners with schools and corporations to measure and reward people for recycling. It is a recycling programme that rewards cash through the use of a smart card.

The concept was initiated by Cenviro together with MyKasih Foundation.

Parks and protected public lands are proven to improve water quality, protect groundwater, prevent flooding, improve the quality of the air we breathe, provide vegetative buffers to development, produce habitat for wildlife, and provide a place for children and families to connect with nature. The following are our Parks: Friendship Park in Kajang Rotary Square in Medan Tuanku Rotary Peace Park, Bestari Jaya Rotary Peace Corner - Taiping Lake Garden

THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE HAS JUST BECOME FAR MORE URGENT, AND COULD BECOME THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF SURVIVAL FOR MANKIND - EVER LOVE OUR RIVERS

PLANT A TREE

AR. LIM FANG KEONG & LOOI KOK KHEONG

NIRINDER JOHL

Our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas are drowning in chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. One of the initiatives to tackle this is the SeeGEM River Care and Environmental Centre a collaboration between Rotary Club of Melawati and the local community.

Trees combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, contribute to soil health, retain water, and cool overheated urban areas. One of the projects that is underway is #HugOurTree.

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S P E C I A L

H I G H L I G H T

Project Zoo Negara A ROTARY INITIATIVE COMES A FULL CIRCLE

BY PP DR DHILEEPAN NAIR

The National Zoological Park (Zoo Negara) and the Malaysian Zoological Society were initiated by the late Tan Sri V M Hutson and the Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur (now Rotary Club of KL Diraja). The late Tan Sri V M Hutson was a Past President of the Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian Zoological Society under V M Hutson sought the full support of the Federal Government and was greatly assisted by our first Prime Minister Y.T.M. Tunku Abdul Rahman who visited and approved the Ulu Klang site. The National Zoological Park (Zoo Negara) was officially opened by Y.T.M. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra AlHaj on 14 November 1963.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order imposed in the first quarter of 2020 impacted Zoo Negara and other zoos in the country severely. As of last year, the Federal Government had licensed 14 zoos and 20 permanent wildlife exhibition centres in Peninsular Malaysia and it is estimated that it costs these parks RM8 million a year to operate. The licenses were issued by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan).

ZOO NEGARA IS HOME TO MORE THAN 5,000 WILDLIFE ANIMALS • JANUARY 2021 • | PG 06

S P E C I A L

H I G H L I G H T

Zoo Negara needs about RM1.2 million a month to operate including RM500,000 for staff salary, food for the animals (RM350,00), electricity and water (RM180,000) and veterinary supplies. It is the country’s largest park, home to more than 5,000 wildlife animals. After the imposition of the MCO in midMarch 2020, Zoo Negara requested for assistance through the media and many responded with assistance both monetary and in kind.

Rotary Club of Melawati and many of its members who stay in Taman Melawati, adjacent to Zoo Negara initiated discussions with the Zoo's management in early April 2020 on how we could assist. We also contacted Village Grocer at Melawati Mall and they agreed to donate their surplus vegetables and fruits to the Zoo. A few of our members then provided logistics support by collecting the surplus produce from the Village Grocer outlet and sending it to the Zoo. Our first collection was done on 10th April 2020 and we transported nearly 200 kg of vegetables, fruits and meat to the Zoo on that day.

Subsequently, we started collecting from two other Village Grocer outlets - Eko Cheras Mall and M City Ampang. We had 16 of our Rotarians actively participating in the project and we continued the collection and transportation of surplus produce from each of the above Village Grocer outlet three times a week until 30 September 2020. We collected and transported nearly 10,000 kgs of surplus produce over the six-months period. For many of us, it was an opportunity to do a simple service during the lockdown and to assist the helpless animals in the Zoo. Our logistics project (Project Zoo Negara) gave us an opportunity to make valuable connections with the Zoo officials especially the veterinarians in charge of Zoo Negara and possibilities of long-term collaboration with other Rotary Clubs in Klang Valley.

The Zoo requires assistance with upgrading their veterinary clinic, training of the veterinary staff, solving of the eutrophication issue of the ponds in the Zoo and are keen on collaboration on joint activities and promoting causes supported

by Rotary.

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S P E C I A L

H I G H L I G H T

The Instrumental Role of FoBK in the Gazettement of Bukit Kiara BUKIT KIARA PARK - A HAVEN FOR NATURE LOVERS

By Ir Dr Kribanandan G N President of Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) 2018-2022 Member of DAGES In 1976, the federal government acquired 1,534 acres (621 hectares) of the Bukit Kiara Estate of Ng Chin Siu & Sons Rubber Estate Ltd by compulsory order “for Public Purposes’. The original stated intention for the acquired area was to establish a public park and an arboretum for Bukit Kiara (BK). Unfortunately, over the years, this original intention has given way to several developments, both for public institutions and private entities. What remains today is only 401 acres and the gazettement of two-thirds of this land, ie 274 acres (111 Hectares), was finally passed on 29 July 2020 with the official announcement made on 4th November 2020.

In 1982 a truly world-class Taman Kiara Master Plan by renowned international consultant Royston Hanamoto Abey & Aley (RHAA) was conceived as a ‘National Botanical Gardens’. Over 70% of this was intended as an arboretum in the north transitioning southwards into a park-like Pusara Negara, then into

manicured urban parks (today's Taman Lembah Kiara), plant nursery and family picnic grounds (today’s Taman Rimba Kiara (subject of luxury condo litigation) and a public golf course , which is now Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA).

This impressive master plan was unfortunately not implemented. Instead, the Damansara Sewage Treatment and a Muslim Cemetery were built in the southwest corner of the estate. On the eastern stretch, the Intan Campus officially opened in 1984 followed by other public Institutional facilities, such as TV Pendidikan, National Science Centre and Securities Commission in the 1980s. These projects still however broadly adhered to the notion of public purpose. In 1993, the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) on land originally meant for Pusara Negara signaled the full abandonment of the Taman Kiara Master Plan.

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S P E C I A L

H I G H L I G H T

The history of community engagement to protect Bukit Kiara started in 1994 with a signature campaign led by the Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) Residents’ Association (RA) after it became clear that the original intent to maintain the green lung had been clearly abandoned. A petition with 1529 signatures was submitted to the Datuk Bandar, Datuk Mazlan Ahmad, to gazette Bukit Kiara (155.68 hectares).

The pro-term Friends of BK (FoBK) was formed in June 2001 spearheaded by Ir Liew Khooi Cheng with the support of the then-MP for Segambut, YB Dr Tan Kee Kwong who it should be noted was then with Gerakan, a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

In May 2005 a coalition comprising of 44 RAs and environmental NGOs including Traks, Global Environment Centre (GEC) and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) submitted a petition to the then Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, for the remaining green lung to be gazetted as an urban park and for all commercial developments to be stopped. In June 2007 the Cabinet announced that “466.86 acres” would be gazetted as Taman Awam Berskala Besar (TABB), i.e Large-scale Public Park. Through these years, several Save BK walks were organised and in 2012 a Save BK signature campaign enlisting over 10,000 signatures was presented.

The late Ir Liew who became pro-term Chairman of FoBK in 2001 was at the helm of the organisation until FoBK was formally registered with the Registrar of Societies in 2014, and deserves special recognition as the inspiration to the movement for protection of Bukit Kiara. He was an unassuming soft-spoken retired Civil Engineer who would passionately educate TTDI Residents at every opportunity about

the dangers of losing the green lung. He was keen to pass on the mantle to a new generation and stepped aside in 2014 for Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor to assume the post of president, Mr Henry Goh as VP and Encik Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar as secretary (the current chairman of the TTDI RA).

The gazettement of BK would not have come to fruition had it not been for the undivided support from Segambut Members of Parliament. The support from Dr YB Dr Tan Kee Kwong was followed by official objections mooted by YB Lim Lip Eng who was MP for Segambut (DAP) from 2008.

This was taken several notches up during YB Hannah Yeoh’s tenure, from 2018. Actions to protect the green lung became a central part of her constituency promise and her tireless efforts are well recognised. In this context it is clear that there has been consistent support across the political spectrum to protect and preserve BK over the years.

It has been an uphill struggle and the recent announcement about the partial gazettement of Taman Persekutuan BK was indeed sweet victory of sorts. There is much to be done to ensure that the remaining tracts of land are gazetted.

FoBK is in constant engagement with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and Jabatan Lanskap Negara (JLN) on ways to improve and manage the park. A robust management plan is important for a public amenity that balances social, economic and environmental priorities, and the need for a bottom-up perspective to fundamentally incorporate civil society aspirations is paramount for a sustainable outcome.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN TWENTYTWO13 ON 18 JANUARY 2021.

FRIENDS OF BUKIT KIARA

MISSION

VISION

Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) is a non-profit organisation which emerged in 1990s out of a green conservation movement within the TTDI Residents Association and eventally registered as FoBK in 2014.

To champion how the Bukit Kiara green lung is protected and managed as part of the Gazettement agenda, and support public awareness of the importance of keeping Bukit Kiara green.

A gezetted, protected and sustainably managed Bukit Kiara green lung, anchored by community rights to liveability, green space and a quality environment within the Greater KL area.

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A C T I V I T I E S

&

E V E N T S

Recycling Used Cooking Oil A PROJECT BY RC BANDAR BUKIT TINGGI KLANG Cooking oil is essential in our home kitchens, it is used in a wide variety of cooking. It is estimated that an average home uses around 5 to 10kg of cooking oil monthly. After use, this oil is discarded into the kitchen sink or drain causing clogging, odor and pollution of waterways. This is a bad idea because the oil will harden in the drain and your drain pipes and cause a clog, bad smells and polluting our waterways.

It is very important to ensure that used cooking oil is collected and recycled properly to help protect the natural environment.

Having this in mind members of RC Bandar Bukit Tinggi Klang embarked on this project to solve this problem by getting their members and friends to collect used cooking oil used in their homes and arranged for the collection of the bottles at a common location.

This used oil were sent to the Club's partnering company Jutawan Muda Enterprise to be recycled into biodiesel or for other purposes.

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A C T I V I T I E S

&

E V E N T S

CELEBRATING WORLD RIVERS DAY In conjunction with World Rivers Day, a celebration that highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness worldwide was held on 26 September 2020. The celebration was held concurrently at 30 different locations in Selangor. The event and the launch of Friends of River (FOR) initiative were broadcasted LIVE on FB.

LIFE IS LIKE THE RIVER, SOMETIMES IT SWEEPS YOU GENTLY ALONG AND SOMETIMES THE RAPIDS COME OUT OF NOWHERE. RIVERS KNOW THIS: THERE IS NO HURRY.

ROTARY PEACE PARK, BESTARI JAYA Past District Governor Siti Subaidah officiated the opening of World Rivers Day accompanied by Assistant Governor Kamarul Ariff and PAG Bharat Ghorasia, the Co-Chair of District Action Group on Environmental Sustainability (DAGES).

Members of DAGES, Rotarians and family members from more than 12 clubs joined the celebration. PDG Siti Subaidah planted a mango tree at the site to commemorate the event. Besides tree-planting there were canoe polo challenge, plogging, cycling and various other nature appreciation activities.

SEEGEM RIVER CARE & ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE, TAMAN MELAWATI President Siva Kumar Raghavan, CP Dr Navin Patel, Rtn Col (Rtd) Somphong Klop and Rtn Salina Hussein from RC Melawati were at SeeGEM River Care and Environmental Centre to celebrate World Rivers Day. SeeGEM River Care and Environmental Centre is a collaboration between RC Melawati and the local community; Friends of River Initiative (FoR) at Taman Melawati was launched at this event.

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R O T A R Y

WATER FOR PEACE Since it was officially launched on 29 June 2019, the Park has been making great progress with activities and events.

LUAS, UNISEL and the nearby communities have actively

COMMUNITY FOOD GARDEN, ORGANIC FARMING METHODS

P E A C E

P A R K

organised youth outdoor activities, gotong-royong, plogging projects, and rural outreach programmes as well as eco-farming which are all ideal in this environment.

Strategic Information Centre Rotary Peace Park will be a strategic information centre promoting the following:

Through RC Melawati, a district grant of RM8,000 was approved for Tree Cash Crop Nursery StartUp at the Peace Park to assist rural community economic development in the vicinity.

KAYAKING

SAPLINGS AND NURSERY

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LUAS, Sg Selangor Water Supply Scheme and ORS Ponds Rotary Stories Bestari Jaya Heritage Kuala Selangor Attractions

TREE-PLANTING

OPERATIONS CENTRE LUAS has recently completed the construction of the Operations Centre.

The spacious open area at the first floor provides ample and comfortable space for activities especially briefing, workshop or presentations.

The ground floor houses cafetaria, conference room, toilets, pantry and office.

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A C T I V I T I E S

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A T

R O T A R Y

P E A C E

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JULY, 2020 The first visit for RY2020-21 was a resounding success with more than 60 participating members. Among the clubs that joined were Rotary clubs of Melawati, Bandar Utama, Bernam Valley, USJ, Seremban, Titiwangsa, Bukit Jalil, Puchong, and Cheras.

En Hafzan from LUAS briefed about LUAS functions, their ORS and Horas projects, and the meaningful partnership with Rotary. Dr Dhileepan of DAGES presented on Rotary Peace Park initiative , the launch of Phase 1A, and the planning for future phases. Nirinder briefed on a proposal to LUAS to use floating solar panels for energy generation at the site to power the water pumps. He also briefed on the #HugOurTree proposal for tree planting in West Malaysia.

GEC did a short lab session on water quality monitoring. All subsequently visited the Rotary Peace Park for photography and video sessions, planting of a few tree saplings, etc Some were briefed on the community food garden project, tree care, and organic farming methods.

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P A R K

AUGUST, 2020 About 10 members from RC Subang, 4 from RC Melawati and 30 from a Buddhist NGO visited the Park.

Rtn Angeline Ngoi from RC Ara Damansara who is also a member of the Buddhist NGO made the arrangement for the Penganut Agama Buddhist NGO.

M E E T I N G

O F

M I N D S

1. Recognition for establishing DAGES 2. Strategising moves for partnerships 3. Planning for long and immediate terms 4. Maintaining relationship with partner

Environment Rotary's 7th Area of Focus ENGAGING WITH CLUBS TO ORGANISE PROJECTS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Since it was declared that supporting the environment becomes Rotary's 7th area of focus, which will be among the categories of service activities supported by global grants, DAGES has been actively doing roadshows to engage with clubs to organise projects related to environmental sustainability.

On 8 November 2020, DAGES shared the overview of the Action Group and showcased ways and manner in which Rotary Clubs can be a partner to support the cause at the Presidents Masterclass. Examples and ideas were deliberated on for the respective President Elects to consider when they pitch for the grants.

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ONE OF THE FIRST CONDITIONS OF HAPPINESS IS THAT THE LINK BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE SHALL NOT BE BROKEN. L E O

T O L S T O Y

ARTICLES CONTRIBUTORS President Ir. Dr. Kribanandan Gurusamy Naidu PP Dr Dhileepan Nair Suresh Unnikrishnan

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR If you wish to share your stories and projects, please email them to ryasminy@yahoo.com and dhileep57@gmail.com.

Let's do our part in preserving our environment.

Yours in Rotary, RTN YASMIN YUSOF