TODAY marks one week of Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities, and all over the country, whether on federal roads or expressways, traffic flow is heavy with city dwellers heading home from their balik kampung exodus.
I made a decision to bring my family to spend half a day at a recreational area in Hulu Seladang in Setiu on the third day of Hari Raya, and we visited friends who own durian orchards, but unfortunately, the fruits were still young and only expected to drop sometime later this month.
While at the recreational area, the lush forests and clear river were a refreshing change from the concrete jungle in the city. My children had a lot of fun in the river.
However, other things caught my attention. Rubbish was strewn everywhere by picnickers, and I believe “outsiders” who came back for the Aidilfitri celebration decided to visit this pristine recreational area and litter it with diapers, plastic bottles, newspaper and food.
I thought it was only in Hulu Seladang, but my sources in Hulu Terengganu said the same thing happened at the popular Sekayu waterfalls and at the Lata Tembakah recreational area in Hulu Besut.
While the Sekayu waterfalls and Lata Tembakah recreational area are under the jurisdiction of the local authorities, the recreational area in Hulu Seladang is outside the limits of the Setiu district office.
A friend in Hulu Seladang said he had to volunteer to pick up rubbish to ensure that it did not attract animals such as bears, wild boar, monkeys and tigers because the area is located quite remotely in the interior.
The area is also frequented by campers who usually spend a night or two, and they could be exposed to dangers posed by the wild animals.
He was not exaggerating because I observed rubbish all along the riverbank, and the leftover food had attracted flies.
It was definitely an eyesore.
This reflected the attitude among some Malaysians who have little or no regard for cleanliness, especially at public and recreational areas. Leaving their rubbish behind for others to pick up is not the right mindset.
If Hulu Seladang was in a developed country, visitors would leave nothing but their footprints. Their admiration for a place as pristine as Hulu Seladang would be reflected by their attitude to protect the area, which can be regarded as a heritage.
There are not many areas like Hulu Seladang or Lata Tembakah in Terengganu. Most of these areas are in protected forests and permission is required from the Forestry Department or the district office for entry.
In fact, most of these areas, including the famous Chemerong waterfalls and Sungai Bangang in Hulu Dungun, Lata Belatan in Jabi, Setiu and Jeram Tanduk in Air Putih, Kemaman, are all located in forest reserves.
While the Chemerong waterfalls is manned by guards who register entries and check baggage to ensure visitors do not smuggle out plants and animals from the reserves, visitors at other locations can walk in and out freely.
Registration is also a safety measure in case visitors veered into the thick forests or failed to return from a jungle trekking expedition towards the peak of Gunung Berembun.
Maybe it is time for the Forestry Department or district office to control recreation areas in forest reserves to protect our heritage so that the future generations can also appreciate it.
If the Health Department can install “no smoking” warnings at public places and impose deterrent fines, then it is not far-fetched to suggest that similar by-laws be introduced at recreational parks, especially on littering and vandalism, by the Forestry Department and local authorities.
Warning signages alone may not be sufficient to deter habitual litterbugs. Closed-circuit television cameras can also be placed to discourage visitors from littering or damaging vegetation at recreational sites.
In addition, checks should be conducted and fines imposed on the spot on anyone who breaks the law. This, however, can only be implemented if the authorities station enforcers at the sites.
It is unfortunate that we still need to educate people the hard way. Bad habits like littering can be reversed, but why are people willing to waste their hard-earned money on a matter that can be avoided?
As the nation moves forward, the people need to act like first-class citizens who take cleanliness seriously.
The next time you spend a fun time at recreational parks, don’t leave your garbage behind. Have a heart and think about the potential environmental impact your garbage can have.
ROSLI ZAKARIA is NST's Specialist Writer based in Terengganu. He is an environmentalist and enjoys capturing the beauty of flora and fauna in its fragile environment. He draws his inspiration from cross country drives on and off-road adventures.