We must understand the value of the environment and realise that we’re all responsible to protect it. Public awareness about the preservation of the environment, especially rivers, is very low.
– Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, former Natural Resources and Environment Minister
Fresh, clean water is necessary for humans – and nature – to survive. In this country, just as across the world, rivers are precious sources of drinking water for the people. So, when rivers are badly polluted, it can be a case of life-or-death – to humans as well as animals.
For freshwater habitats, rivers are a vital, vibrant ecosystem for many species.
Fortunately in Sarawak, most rivers meet the required health standards, thanks to the strict enforcement of environmental legislations. Nevertheless, there are some rivers and streams that face multiple threats, putting an increasing pressure on the wildlife that call the rivers home.
The authorities have assured that there are no ‘dead rivers’ (rivers that can no longer sustain aquatic life) in Sarawak, although water quality in several rivers need to be addressed.
Back in 2020, the then Urban Development and Resources Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said while Sarawak rivers could perform their ecological functions, and capable of sustaining life such as fish and aquatic plants, the water quality in Sg Padungan and Sg Bedil, however, was considered the “worst in Sarawak”. But he was quick to assure the people that construction of the centralised sewerage system in Kuching would improve the river conditions.
Other rivers of concern mentioned by Len Talif were Sg Miri (Miri Division) and Sg Bintangor in Kuching which required attention.
Whatever it takes to continue keeping our rivers clean and ‘alive’, efforts should be a two-way traffic, and by that I mean both the people and the government should shoulder the responsibility of maintaining a clean river system for present and future generations.
Unfortunately, some of us take things for granted and even adopt a couldn’t-care-less attitude by dumping waste into rivers and polluting the waterways, resulting in the wanton destruction of precious marine life.
Which comes to my attention a recent report under the heading, ‘Suspected river poisoning destroys aquatic lives’ (New Sarawak Tribune, Page 9, Dec 1 2022).
It shocked me to learn that the article was about my good friend Dr Ashok Segar and his wife Tes Martinez’s scenic farmhouse at Mile 15-16 Kuching-Serian Road where a river flows right through their property.
I frequent their farmhouse, especially during weekends, where the couple and I discuss anything about nature and wildlife as we are animal and nature lovers. The property doubles as a licensed wildlife centre for rescued animals, which otherwise would have ended up in the cooking pot.
I came to know that they fork out tens of thousands of ringgit to save captivated animals which were meant for restaurants.
Both Dr Segar and Tess are medical professionals with international qualifications. Tess is a trained nurse. I came to know them through a mutual friend eight years ago when they purchased the beautiful three-acre farmhouse for several million ringgit under the Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme.
The Singaporean-Filipino couple had initially wanted to move to Melbourne but decided to come and spend their retirement in Kuching after hearing so much about the Land of the Hornbills. They invested their entire life savings in Sarawak.
Being animal lovers, they bring home and adopt stray dogs (they have about 20 now). These onetime strays are well trained, and are so devoted and loyal to their masters that they are very protective of their saviours.
The farmhouse, aptly named Tes Paradizoo, is home to a variety of animals, and has many fruit trees, including a few durian trees where the fruits, in my view, are sweeter and fleshier than the overhyped Musang King! Dr Segar and Tes recently had their fill of durians daily for more than a month.
Let’s come back to the river which cuts right through the property. The pristine Sungai Endap is filled with various aquatic life like tilapia – including the rare golden species – ikan sultan, udang galah, ikan sepat and crabs.
The 60-year-old doctor says the river is often visited by members of the public, including himself, for recreational and fishing activities.
“I always go down to the river and make some catches because the river flows through our property. We do make some catches, but we stock the river with fish fingerlings of various local species and culture them without nets to restock the river naturally for the benefit of all.”
But all that came to an abrupt end when most of the fish, young and adult ones, including some weighing two kilograms, were found dead presumably due to poisoning.
A similar incident happened in 2015 when many of the fish in the river perished. The couple’s German Shepherd also died after drinking water from the river.
“The last time Sungai Endap was poisoned was seven years ago. I reported to the Department of Environment (DoE) and they identified the source and rectified the problem. The culprit was a company that was discharging toxic waste in the river.
“Since then everything was okay, until last Wednesday (Nov 30),” said a disappointed Dr Segar.
This time he lodged a report with the Siburan police and is awaiting investigations to complete. In the meantime, the DoE was alerted of the suspected poisoning incident. Officers from the department went to the farm and took some samples which were sent to the Chemist Department.
Dr Segar and Tes were saddened by the sight of the hundreds of lifeless fish floating on the river and ending up on both sides of the river bank. They are also concerned about the safety of human beings and nearby wildlife.
“I have full faith in the police and DoE to carry out a thorough investigation and bring the culprits to book, if poisoning is the cause. Sarawak is still unspoilt by development and we don’t want unscrupulous people or entities polluting and destroying our rivers and environment,” he lamented.
I visited Tes Paradizoo last Saturday and saw some dead fish on the river banks. There was still the revolting odour of the dead fish which will take some time to go away.
The more important issue now is to prevent such incidents from happening again. The culprits should be hauled into court, and appropriate and deterrent punishment meted out.
In the meantime, whatever happened to our ‘Love Our River’ campaign! A case of here today, gone tomorrow.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
