Championing Tasik Chini

By Michael A. Fredericks

TWO years ago, Bishan Singh embarked on a campaign to halt further deterioration of the ecosystem of Lake Chini in Pahang, by founding the Kuantan-based Sustainable Development Network (Susden) Malaysia.  

His efforts have not gone unnoticed; Bishan has been named one of DiGi Telecommunications' five Amazing Malaysians 2006, and dubbed The Champion of Pahang's Lake Chini. 

The recognition, which Bishan says humbled him, goes a long way in furthering his efforts to preserve Tasik Chini as one of Malaysia's most beautiful natural heritage sites.  

The cat's tail is a fast-spreading weed that's choking the lotus of Lake Chini.

The programme got off to a great start on March 12 when the tireless environmentalist received more than 80 secondary schoolchildren, including 15 children from the orang asli community, in Pekan. They were all there for a once-in-a-lifetime nature camp. 

DiGi's Chief Financial Officer Johan Dennelind honouring Bishan Singh as The Champion of Pahang's Lake Chini.

Conducted by Bishan himself, the camp served to educate the students about the lake's ecosystem and the value of its flora and fauna, as well as inculcate a sense of responsibility in them for the environment and natural heritage. 

The students were also given a first-hand experience of the lifestyle of the indigenous communities living in areas surrounding the lake. 

Discovering the types of plants the orang asli use for cooking and medical purposes.

The experience gained from the camp will provide the impetus and ideas for materials for a project to be undertaken by the students.  

They will develop a website on Tasik Chini, produce a video documentary, and create materials such as artwork for publications, all of which will then be displayed on July 30 in a showcase event at the new Community Information and Education Centre on Tasik Chini. 

Part of the reason we need to save Lake Chini is to protect and preserve its inherent biodiversity value. Another equally important reason is to protect the lifestyle of the five communities of orang asli who live around the lake,” says Bishan. 

The best way to help them is to educate and empower them. That is why we're establishing the centre. This will encourage the orang asli to adopt sustainable practices to protect the lake and, hence, their own livelihood.”  

Carving our ladles from the hard wood found in the forest.

DiGi's Amazing Malaysians is a corporate social responsibility programme that identifies passionate individuals who work towards preserving Malaysia's natural, social, artistic, cultural or built heritage. To know more about the programme please visit http://www.digi.com.my/aboutdigi/community/amazing.jsp. 

Welcome dance by Jakun women on Kampung Puput, one of five areas where Jakuns live on the periphery of Lake Chini.