Society wants seven bird reserves in Malacca

MALACCA: The Malaysian Nature Society wants seven sites in Malacca to be recognised as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) following the arrival of migrating bird species which are vulnerable to global extinction.

The sites are Pengkalan bird sanctuary in Alor Gajah, Ayer Keroh Forest Reserve, Merlimau-Sg Rambai padi fields and marshland, Batang Tiga padi fields, Taman Melaka Raya-Pulau Melaka, Tiara Gold Resort and Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve. MNS Malacca/Negri Sembilan Bird Coordinator Ang Teck Hin, who disclosed this, said the Malacca government should immediately declare these sites as IBAs to enable better monitoring and conservation of these bird speciess.

“From my 15 years of observing birds, I found several sites with a captivating population of migratory and resident birds. This is nature's gift and must be protected,” he said in an interview. Ang cautioned that if these sites were encroached, it would lead to the birds abandoning the area. “The state government can engage the MNS bird consultation unit to provide expertise on how to protect these areas,” he added.

As of 2009, nearly 11,000 sites in some 200 countries have been identified as IBAs. There are 55 internationally recognised IBAs in Malaysia.

-thestar online.