LETTERS: Progress through development projects over the years has brought with it the destruction of forests and the natural environment.
Landslides occur frequently due to the felling of trees in the forests and on the mountains, the surrounding greenery being destroyed, and the rainfall being reduced.
In the name of progress, nature is losing not only its beauty, but also its property because the forest trees are cut down, the herbs are uprooted, the wild animals are being hunted, and the virgin lands are being taken away.
In short, the forest area is decreasing. Steps must be taken to protect trees in forests.
New trees should be planted in vacant lands so that the fertility of the forest does not deteriorate.
Measures should be taken to maintain and preserve the biodiversity of the forests.
Without understanding the beauty of nature, man is losing irreplaceable natural wealth.
In every school, as well as higher learning institution, notice boards, advertisements and posters must be displayed to raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation among teachers, students and parents.
Set up more training centres for the people to effectively implement action plans for the development of natural resources.
Taking into account the bigger picture globally, the efforts of innovation, modernity, progress, change, superpowers, and globalisation are destroying the earth's natural resources
We can see the effect such efforts have had on nature through nature's fury. If these endeavours are not relinquished and captured, man will suffer innumerable losses.
We are also witnessing many effects due to a growing global population.
In the future, there is a high probability that the rivers and streams will dry up, resulting in a lack of food supplies, a lack of drinking water, famine and other deadly diseases. We may also face more disasters.
Industrial development has polluted the rivers, air and the environment.
We must change our attitudes when it comes to our appreciation of the environment.
Only when Malaysians, together with the rest of the world, do that will we see a better environment.
N. V. SUBBAROW
Senior consumer and environmental education officer, Consumers Association of Penang
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
