We are pleased to announce that MNSKB will be holding a film evening on Thursday, 8 March at the Islamic Centre from 7:30 to 9:30pm. To register to attend this evening of films, reply to this email,mnskuching@gmail.com
Come and enjoy and learn more about the powers of nature.
Love Life
Love Nature
Powerful Tools: Films
Day / Date: Thursday, 8 March, 2018
Time: 7:30 pm to 9:30pm
Venue: Islamic Centre, Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching
The Goethe –Institute of Malaysia in collaboration with Ministry of Education, Schulen, German-Malaysian Institute, Malaysian Nature Society, Pasch Schools, and The Association of Science, Technology and Innovation put together a large number of award winning films on nature and issues that surround it. The films entertain, educate and extend messages about the natural world. They capture the beauty and power of nature, together with threats.
About the Films
Two award winning films, will be shown in Kuching. The films are aimed at the upper secondary level and up to adults.
Bug Technology, directed by Kenichi Sugawara from Japan, highlights the amazing abilites of insects and how they are inspiring research
Wild Ways, directed by James Brundige from the United States films the conflict between human structures and the wild animals; there is hope as he then shows ways in which migration routes are incorporated into the planning.
Show Schedule
7:30 pm: Bug Technology
8:15 pm: Wild Ways
To register for this evening of films, reply to this email at mnskuching@gmail.com.
The Helmeted Hornbill is a remarkable creature. It is the largest Hornbill in Asia. It is the only Hornbill with a solid casque on its bill, used by males in mid-air head-butting contests. Unfortunately, that same casque may make the Helmeted Hornbill the Bornean bird species most likely to become extinct in the next decade.
Hornbill “ivory”, as the casque material is misleadingly known, has been a trade good between Borneo and China for centuries. From about 2012 onward, though, demand for Helmeted Hornbill casques in China has gone through the roof. Ounce for ounce, hornbill casques are now worth considerably more than elephant ivory on the Chinese black market. As a consequence, poachers are rapidly wiping out hornbill populations in Indonesia, including in Kalimantan. Sarawak’s populations may be next – and hornbill casques smuggled from Indonesia have already been confiscated in Kuching. Last year, an international workshop was held in Kubah National Park to develop a global action plan to save the species.
Join us for a presentation on this remarkable bird, the threats facing its survival, and the efforts being made to save it. Dr. Ronald Orenstein, drawing on presentations by international experts, will bring us up to date on the Helmeted Hornbill and its conservation throughout its range, and Oswald Braken Tisen will inform us about the situation here in Sarawak. Both speakers are members of the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group and its Working Group on the Helmeted Hornbill.
A public talk organised by MNS Kuching Branch.
Date: Thursday 1st March 2018
Venue: Lower Baruk, Islamic Information Centre, Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching
Time: 7.30pm - 9.00pm
In order to facilitate seating arrangements, please reply by return email if you wish to attend the talk.
NATURAL ecosystems are multiple complexly interwoven cycles – life, nitrogen, water, and carbon. Composting is a natural cycle in which organic matter – leftover vegetables and fruits, coffee grinds and tea bags, bones – through the action of decomposers such as bacteria, fungi and insects, are broken into components that plants can then use for growth – the cycle of life.
This ecologically sound method for recycling organic matter has been included in the ‘Green Initiative’ programme of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS), which operates a recycling centre at the Stutong Community Market, enabling residents to exchange recyclable items (plastic, paper) for household goods under its ‘Buy Back Programme’.
Commercial composting MBKS environment and health officer Kho Joo Huat said it is very expensive to get rid of plant and animal waste from markets. Commercial composting is a way to reduce costs, pollution and carbon dioxide production, while making high quality natural fertiliser.
In May 2011, he oversaw the setting up of the first MBKS Green Centre at the market and then another at the Petanak Market in 2013.
Kho and his team facilitated a talk and demonstration on composting recently, organised by the Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch at the MBKS Green Centre at Stutong Market.
The stallholders, who attended the training sessions, support this initiative and they also received high quality organic fertiliser – a win-win situation.
Although the MBKS Green Centre is a hive of bacterial activities, there is no smell as the organic waste is quickly turned into high quality fertiliser.
“It takes 24 to 48 hours to complete the composting cycle. The mixture has already stabilised for one month, resulting in a tremendous reduction of waste,” Kho explained.
He added that the high quality organic fertiliser is used to maintain the plants and gardens around the city, but the public can also purchase it.
Home composting
Homeowners and flat or condominium dwellers can make composting a way of life too.
Kho has introduced the super simple, smell-free Takakura Home Composting System.
I myself compost kitchen and garden waste, but have had some problems with texture, odour and insect invasions.
This is probably because I just dump the stuff and let nature do the work.
So I am going to try the Takakura Home Composting System, an innovative method, which enables householders while reducing the amount of rubbish produced, to make high quality fertiliser for home use.
The four-step process is described in great detail in brochures available as hard copies or soft copies from their website. Fariz, a composting technician at the MBKS Green Centre, demonstrated the steps.
The first is to make separate sugar and salt solutions which, after ageing for three to five days, are used to make the seed compost – equal parts of rice bran and rice husk.
This mixture matures in around seven days and then you are ready to compost the organic matter you produce in your home.
Amelie Ningkang, who is enthusiastic about the Takakura Home Composting System, said, “A great initiative which if applied individually has the potential of a positive impact on the environment. I’m very keen to try this at home and contribute my part.”
Most of us know that global warming is a result of human economic activities. Composting may seem insignificant but it is not.
By composting at home, we reduce the waste and carbon produced. We are can green up our gardens. So we become part of the solution.
On Sunday, February 4, 2017 MNSKB will be organising a walk from Kubah National Park to Matang Wildlife Centre along the Rayu Trail. This trail goes through the heart of the park and ends at Matang Wildlife Centre. Kubah is rich in plant and animal life, particularly palms, frogs and birds. Mixed dipterocarp forest covers much of the park and shades Rayu Trail.
Mr John Roland Tuton who is an active member of MNSKB, will lead and facilitate. The start time is 9:30 in the morning from Kubah National Park headquarters. You need to be relatively fit for this 3-hour walk that passes through the uneven and steep terrain and it is not a suitable activity for young children.
Participants must provide their own transportation to Kubah National Park, which is approximately one hour from Kuching. We suggest car-pooling. MNKB will arrange for a bus to transport walkers from Matang Wildlife Centre back to the park headquarters. The cost of the bus, per person (including children), is RM15 for members and RM25 for non-MNS members.
Entrance fees for the Park are RM10 for Malaysian adults and RM5, aged 6-18, while the fees are RM20 for non-Malaysians and RM7, aged 6-18. Please note that non-MNS members will be charged and additional RM10 to join the trip.
What to bring:
·Footwear with good grip which may get wet (e.g. Kampong Adidas or trekking sandals)
·Light clothes/outdoor wear
·Rain coat/poncho
·Sun cream & hat
·Leech socks (In case you need to buy Leech socks,The Outdoorshop Montanic at Viva City 4th floor sells them).
·Drinking water & packed lunch
·Backpack
To register for this activity please email MNSKB at mnskuching@gmail.com by Wednesday, 31 January 2018. We are able to accommodate a maximum of 20 people and registration will be on the first come basis.
Please include the following information in your email:
·Names of members of your group, including children
·IC or passport number
·Telephone number
·MNS Membership Number
We are looking forward to you joining us in this walk in the park.
Please bring extra set of clothes and leave in your car. This is in case you got wet or sweaty you can change into dry clothes.
·He holds a Masters Degree in Science in Environmental Conservation.
·In 2017, he obtained his Doctorate in Philosophy in Environmental and Development in
·Geoheritage, Geoconservation & Geotourism.
·Dana coordinated the geoheritage for geopark’s development in Sarawak in the Sarawak River Delta
in Kuching from 2013-2017.
·His other past experiences included heading the Hidro-geology Activity, Minerals & Geosciences Department in Sabah in 2013.
·He was in charge of the Geological Heritage Inventory in Minerals and Geosciences Department Malaysia, Sarawak, from 2000-2013.
Photo 2 Bako Seastack Formed By Plateau Sandstone Formation
Description of talk:
Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, including the materials that it is made of, the physical and chemical processes that occur on its surface and in its interior, and the history of the planet and its life forms. There are many fields in geology; hence it contributed to the formation of various earth resources.
The geological resources have been playing very important roles in development, economy, social and community well being. The mineral industry derived from one of important geology fields has undoubtedly been a major contributor to the economic, social and industrial development in most countries over the globe. However, despite important roles of geology in many aspects of development, there are neither proper linkages between geology and sustainable development nor its sustainability used and sustainability science until now.
Through the geoheritage concept which involves proper identification, characterization, assessment and rank of significant geoheritage sites based on its scientific, aesthetic, cultural and recreational heritage value now, geology is closer to the public.
Photo 3 Semi-circular Shape Geological Landscape Formed by Kayan Sandstone Formation 65Ma in Bengoh Highland
