Sunday, July 29, 2012

Save The Raintrees

They're centenarians, lined up along the road, providing shade against the sweltering afternoon heat, and giving wannabe photographers the opportunity to get good photos. Back in July 2010, I saw them in person during a visit to the Taiping Lake Gardens.

The other day, my mother told me that there was a big issue over some development plans for the Taiping Lake Gardens, in which these 120 year old raintrees may face a situation they have not faced in the past. The very next day, my favourite radio station interviewed a man who started a petition to stop the Taiping Municipal Council from going ahead with their plans of building kiosks at the area despite assurance that the trees will not be in immediate danger. The problem is, you can never tell with development -  what if greed gets in the way? According to the interview, the proposed kiosks will end up blocking the view of the lakes and I'm assuming that the aura of tranquillity which we get there now will be gone forever, as kiosks means people selling stuff (food/drinks/souvenirs) which will result in more people, noise and rubbish. 

I really don't understand why they always find the need to create business opportunities in places like this (fine, it's all about economic growth, but you can have economic growth elsewhere, right?) Do people constantly need to buy food and drinks while enjoying the view? 

News report here: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/26/nation/11732109&sec=nation

On the other hand, it seems as though people making noise about this whole thing has made the Municipal Council reconsider their plans. Sounds good to me. So far. 

Some pictures of the lake gardens and the trees I took while I was there:













23 comments:

  1. Taiping is a beautiful place. I really hope they actually preserve the place. I'm contemplating of doing the Taiping marathon there and running amongst those trees are something to cherish.

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    Replies
    1. Well, I guess they might - temporarily. It would be lovely running in such a beautiful and serene area.

      Delete
  2. I've been thinking bout making a trip to Gua Tempurung and Taiping and these pixx have me sold! Beautiful!!!!! I really hope the morons don't tear them down.

    USM used to be full of huge green green trees as well, all of whom had to unfortunately make way for development. Ptui!

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    Replies
    1. What is a campus without greenery? :(

      Yup, better visit the place while the trees still stand tall.

      Delete
  3. Wow that view does look great :) I hope they don't spoil it. At the very least I hope they don't actually cut down any trees. I could almost go along with it if that's the case, but they could still spoil a lovely view.

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    Replies
    1. They said they're not planning to cut down the trees, but still, with the kiosks, there might be vandals who may cause damage to them.

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  4. Wherever and whenever people congregate, someone will see it as an opportunity (some even consider it a right) to make money.

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    Replies
    1. Sadly, I agree. It doesn't stop me from being outraged, though. When I was visited NZ last year, someone mentioned that one of the places we visited would have never been open to the public due to some reason (I need to refer to my NZ notes). The only reason it is opened to the public now is because they opened it ages ago.

      Delete
  5. They should leave it the heck alone. There is enough damn places already, fix the run down places and leave the forests alone.

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    Replies
    1. Yes. Leave whatever that hasn't already been damaged alone.

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  6. I shall say just this.
    I love trees (really, truly), and if someone does anything to them, I go into raging conscience less cannibal mode, and kill and eat anyone and everyone who damaged the trees.
    So, you guys should kinda be glad I'm not in your country right now (I'm guessing Sri Lanka?)

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    Replies
    1. I love trees, too. Ha ha... wish I could bulldoze them instead, when they try to do something to the are.

      It's Malaysia, though. Not Sri Lanka.

      Delete
  7. People are motivated by money what can I say.

    Unless that tree is on some protected historical site like an old Buddhist temple it'll probably be removed in the near future. There are just too many cases of things like this happening. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I guess they are a bit more sensitive towards something spiritual or religious (but not always!)

      Sadly, it IS motivated by money.

      Delete
  8. Psssh, who needs beautiful trees when you can have yet another identical strip mall?

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    Replies
    1. And yeah, they'll have fake trees in the mall pretending to be the real thing.

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  9. The Taiping gardens look amazing. There's just something about nature that calms me. Speaking of which, I can't wait for summer so I can see all our beautiful trees lush and green again :)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I noticed that you tend to leave some of your worries behind when you have nature by your side.

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  10. i've always loved the garden. brings back some memories. does the council have any rules about chopping trees ?

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    Replies
    1. They apparently have said that they are not going to chop down any trees. However, I have no faith at all in any of our local councils/ agencies, etc...

      Delete
  11. I love the rain trees of Taiping and they have been an inspiration for many of my posts. I'm happy we shared the same sentiments and very glad that they will be saved thanks to all who raised awareness about them :)If you have the interest, I would love to share these with you -
    http://a1000reasons.blogspot.com/2012/08/saving-rain-trees-of-taiping.html
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/66484698@N04/7710945656/in/photostream/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such beautiful trees. I grew up seeing a lone raintree in the middle of my school grounds a long time ago.

      I'm pretty glad they've decided to not go ahead with the kiosks. Thanks for dropping by :)

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  12. This is such a beautiful place. The trees are so gorgeous from the photos that you took. Thanks for sharing with us. Have a fantastic upcoming weekend.
    World of Animals

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