Let’s save the hills together
Print and paste. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Penang branch adviser D. Kanda Kumar suggested that NGOs “mobilise the public” via a state-wide campaign to protect the hills _________ further destruction.
“We can consider starting a campaign to get all stakeholders involved so that as a group, we can be more pro-active and vigilant,” he said yesterday.
He said the MNS Penang branch was a member of the “Penang Forum” a coalition of NGOs that deals ______ issues ranging from social to environmental and it was studying how hillslope development could be controlled.
“There must be a discussion on the next course of action. It's tricky because there are legal issues involved but we should look ________ why there is this need' ________ such high density development _______ our hills.”
However, he claimed it was not just developers who were “destroying” the hills.
“Unchecked illegal agricultural activities was how it all started.
“Some 30 years ago, the hills ______ Penang were already slowly being cleared but it's only now that people are opening their eyes _______ the destruction because the clearings are visible ________ the roads.
“Previously, such clearing activities were done ______ the other side of the hill which was usually hidden _______ public view,” he added.
The MNS was ________ the forefront _______ the Friends of Penang Hill, a coalition comprising 12 NGOs with over 1,000 members that protested and won the battle _______ the Bukit Pinang project.
The coalition was set ________ in the early 1990s to protest plans _______ an international recreation-and-holiday resort development _______ Penang Hill.
Tanjung Bungah Residents Association chairman Datuk Dr Leong Yueh Kwong, a former lecturer ______ ecology, botany and environment, said development ________ the north coast had reached a critical level.
“It's obvious that the Penang landscape has changed, especially ________ the north coast that is bordered _____ hills and the sea.
“At present, we just do not have the infrastructure to cope ______ any increased activity. Given the trend we're seeing now, problems like traffic congestion will be a daily occurrence instead _______ something that happens ______ peak hours, weekends and holidays,” Dr Leong said.
(The Star)
