BALING: Passion for flora and fauna has taught teacher Azizuddin Abdul Hamid that there is much more knowledge nature could offer than within the four walls of a classroom.
The textbooks he uses to teach his pupils were no match against the knowledge he gained from the wilderness which he shared with them.
Azizuddin spent his time during weekends, school and public holidays to climb hills and mountains in Kedah, Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu to learn about nature's gift to mankind.
"Nature is a better teacher than I am. There is always something new to learn and in an exciting way you don't get in a textbook or classroom," he told the New Straits Times.
"To get the knowledge, I have to challenge the obstacles first, overcome the fear of uncertainty, prepare for surprises and engage in discourse to get the right information on specimens.
"I believe we can become a better person when we appreciate nature because it touches our lives one way or another," said the 58-year-old teacher of Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Sera, here.
For example, he said the clarity of water in rivers can fool anyone because of the different pH readings in every river, which provide indications about the biodiversity in the rivers.
"The readings of the pH differ from samples at the source of the river to the estuary. It makes you think what contributed to this.
"And when looking at stones and sands, they are all different at different locations along a river.
"When you go deeper, you will realise that building contractors prefer to use river sand rather than those at estuaries. It makes you think," said the father of two children.
Azizuddin likes to collect samples of plants and river stones as well as driftwood which he uses as decorative items to create a unique landscape at the small compound of his house Taman Seri Harapan in Kupang.
"If I don't go out on an adventure I will tend to my garden and I will try to identify the identity of each plant or ask experts at universities.
"I teach myself before I can teach others. Some plants have medicinal values and the knowledge can be beneficial to some of my visitors and friends," said Azizuddin who also likes to collect fish samples in streams and rivers.
He proudly shows a custom made six-foot aquarium where he kept kelah, sebarau, lampam and many other beautiful local fishes caught using hook and line.
He will always bring along a telescopic rod in his haversack.
As a member of the Organisation of Malaysian Heritage Enthusiasts (Pencinta), Azizuddin said every member are experts on nature and share their knowledge with others in the group.
"We have experts on tarantulas, snakes, frogs, fishes, plants, insects and wild flora and we share our findings during expeditions to further enrich our knowledge about our natural heritage.
"I am a teacher but I am also a student and my craving for knowledge transcends beyond my profession and this is what I want to instil among my students," he added.
He also organises field trips with his students and shares his mountaineering skills with them.
"They love the outdoors and learn hands-on about nature while taking notes," he added.
