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Langkawi needs a Langkawi Nature Trust
Mark, 9 August 2009
2 Things come together here:
1. Preserving Langkawi from being “dubaied”
(built over and the nature destroyed).
2. Managing the cleanliness, recycling and sustainability of resources in Langkawi. **********************************************************
1. Preserving Langkawi from being “dubai-ed” (built over and the nature destroyed).
Probably the best way to do this, is to create a Trust, that becomes the owner of as much endangered land as possible and can so preserve it from being overbuilt.
As an alternative, the Trust can only buy the ‘Right to veto any buildings on the land it regards as inappropriate with its commitment”. It pays the owners a one-off sum to pay for this right (the loss of value of the land) but the land still belongs to the owners.
2. Managing the cleanliness, recycling and sustainability of resources in Langkawi.
It is heartwarming to see the volunteers cleaning up beaches – from time to time, but this is not the appropriate way to handle the problem. These are only emergency actions to cover up a hole in the present self organization of this Island.
The situation has to be handled professionally, as otherwise, sooner or later, tourist might report about non optimal conditions to ’traveler Forums’ like the “Trip Advisor” – and to then clean up the name of Langkawi again, once it would have been associated with ‘not so clean beaches’ (rightly or wrongly) – would be harder to do than keeping the beaches clean in the first place. How to get the money, money . . . It seems evident that something similar should be done here. Mark
This risk to Langkawi has to be eliminated.
In Europe, there is a tax, called “Kur Taxe” which is a Tourist Tax. The local government of a place where there are a lot of tourists, has to maintain the cleanliness of the place, the lighting of the street and boardwalks, put up enough rubbish bins and empty them in short enough intervals, etc. etc. For these additional duties of the government, they have implemented this “Tourist Tax” – which is widely known in Europe and accepted by the tourists. It is a certain small amount every tourist has to pay for every night he stays in a particular place.
Comments
by Mark on 12 Aug 2009, 12:40 pm
Yes, Bob - I agree completely. Thanks for the input.
Just yesterday I biked 'overland' and couldn't other than remark all the waste-bins on the way from Kisap to Tanjung Rhu being completely and utterly 'overflowaded' with rubbish everywhere around. Made worse of course by the monkeys.
From Information I have there is no use in pointing this out officially. LADA or the LTAC are not the termonals to be bothered with. They of course do not want that the matter is discussed in public - as tourists could then think that it is worse than it is ... Understandable. (That's also why I do not bring too much about this in the Langkawi Gazette.)
That's exactly why a real SOLUTION has to be found, which means: if the locals and the tourists (both) can not be educated enough to do it voluntarily, and if there is no will to enforce it (like in Singapore), which I can understand also, then there has to be a company/institution/whatever that is GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE MONEY to do it.
From what I heared, there is one company who has the task and duty to cut the grass all over Malaysia. No joke. The problem is, they seem not to have the job to collect also the plasticbottles on the grass they cut.... So there is this funny sight of nicely cut grass to expose all the rubbish the car drivers and passengers throw out of the window everywhere.
Volunteering to collect Rubbish (I have done it once also) - is 'covering a hole', not a solution.
The new Langkawi Branch of the Malaysia Nature Society has written the cleanup of Langkawi on their Target list as priority No 1. We will see what will happen. IMO they do not yet tackle the problem fundamentally enough - and just an other cleanup action will not bring a lasting change at all. And ongoing volunteerism does also not work, as the people doing it get tired of it with the time.... Of course.
But there are a few good people, like Megat in LADA, who do see the problem - and I think, if they can find a scheme to provide the money, the cleanup could be done professionally. This is the only short term solution I can see.
Mark
Rubbish by Jeff Lewis on 10 Aug 2009, 2:50 pm
Hi Mark,
I share your and your members concerns regarding rubbish and the potential damage to Langkawi's reputation as a preferred destination, let alone the detriment to the environment!
Can I suggest you have a look at www.cleanup.org.au - this campaign has had massive success in Australia, and is now a world-wide scheme, with participants in mainland Malaysia. Perhaps there is a chance of developing a local "chapter" to tap in to the scheme. It would also be interesting to explore whether the government supports such an international scheme, and therefore may be willing to help locally ... The real success of this scheme in Australia is that it has changed young people's attitudes to littering, and over a generation adults now generally see littering as bad behaviour.
Good luck with it!
Thanks Jeff by Mark on 10 Aug 2009, 3:10 pm
I had a look - and will study it tonight. But - as you said - it took a generation... and we do not have so much time. Which does not mean that it shopuld not be done. The education has to come anyway - and I am pretty sure it is already taught in school these days. But there must be a professional approach also, IMO, meaning: an organisation / company / trust whatever, that get's paid to do the job and does it.
A small tourist tax for a clean beach and countryside is no big deal for the tourists - but would bring in the money needed.
Look: the grass DOES GET CUT - and what a huge job this is. It can be done.
Free from plastic bags by zuraidah zainal abidin on 26 Aug 2009, 1:02 pm
Actually there is an easy way to solve the rubbish problem. Only if the local council with the support from LADA, Tourism and local businessmen decide to follow Penang. Shoppers have to bring their own bags. Billion, Teow SOO Huat etc work together & charge shoppers for the plastic bags given out. Especially the night market, the local council can implement this idea. Heck, they have come out with so many charges to local businesses why not add one more. The traders can wrap vegetables, dry food,etc in newspaper. Except for the ones with gravy or soup, they are allowed. Start with the big supermarket then the night market and wet market. It will take a while for the people to get used to it. Old habit die hard. However,once they got used to it, then LGK will not have rubbish problems with plastic all over the beaches etc. It is a matter to change the attitude of the peoople. Local council please wake up from your deep sleep. Be like Penang. it is not too late for us.
TALKING ABOUT RUBBISH by Bob Talbot on 10 Aug 2009, 10:16 am
Mark,
its not only the beach areas thats a problem.Drive anywhere on the island and you will see rubbish.The mindset of the island has to change.I read that they have had conventions etc to promote tourism.Do the top people drive around wearing rose tinted glasses?Seeing piles of rubbish around everywhere is bound to put people off returning.I will gladly give them a tour round the island!
The letter from the guy staying at Casa Del Mar ended with a subtle dig about litter on the beach.
Every business,every hotel along the beachfronts should take responsibility for the area directly in front of their property.I don,t think many people want to sit eating a meal, or sunlounging, looking at rubbish,empty cans etc.
I have taken part in litter clearing.Its disheartening to see the area that you have cleaned up, used as a dumping ground again almost immiediately
regards bob