KUALA LUMPUR: Extreme human interference of nature and natural resources have led to an increase of natural disasters, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah said today.
He said trees and forests, which were crucial in controlling climate change and global warming, were no longer seen as an important element that needs to be protected.
“Instead, the trees and forests are viewed as sources for timber that can be sold for profit, causing rampant illegal logging caused by human greed.
“Without trees and forests, all the benefits of nature are lost, the number of plants and animals would decline along with damages in natural habitats.
“The food chain is broken and subsequently endangered human life,” he said.
The ruler said this during the launch of '40 Hadis Pelestarian Alam Sekitar’ book, authored by Prof Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang and Prof Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohd Yusoff, at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia campus here today.
Sultan Nazrin said based on 2017 data by the Department of Environment, there were 579 rivers in 2008, but now there were only 477 left.
“Malaysia had lost 102 rivers within 10 years. (And) from the remaining 477 rivers, only 219 were categorised as clean, while 207 were categorised as semi-polluted and 51 as and polluted.”
Sultan Nazrin said back in 2015 when he was travelling along Sungai Perak from Pasir Salak to Teluk Intan for his installation as the 35th Sultan of Perak, his son Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah, who was seven at that time, had counted more than 700 plastic bottles during their 65km journey.
He said nature was a blessed to humans, which must be safeguarded and protected from any harm and pollution.
“Preserving the environment is a huge responsibility that needs to be shared by everyone and not the government alone.
“Should the current generation is not willing to conserve the environment; there will be nothing left for the future generation.
“Ironically, almost everyone strives to save and leave assets for their children and grandchildren, but only a few that give serious attention to ensure a sustainable environment for the future generation.”
Sultan Nazrin said the world needs for more people like Ahmad Iszuddin Ahmad Izham, who was the recipient of Tuanku Bainun Foundation award for his effort to conserve the environment and sea turtles; Pua Lay Peng, an environmentalist who has been championing environmental issues as well as exposing illegal plastic recycling factories and imported waste; and teenage climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
“The book by these two academicians (Dr Zaini and Dr Zulkifli) was one of many efforts to raise awareness on the importance of ensuring a sustainable environment.
“This book was written with the hope to mobilise the members of the community to be more concern and proactive on the preservation of the environment.
“The approach by these two academicians, which injects the religious dimension, was timely to education the Muslim about the environment.”