Project Orion - Rovering with Turtles
is the 2nd Scouts of the World Award (SWA) Voluntary Service Project of the SWA Singapore Base.

Led by 9 Rover Scouts from Singapore and Malaysia, the project is set upon

the beautiful wetlands and beaches of Setiu, Terengganu.

Lasting 16 days from 20th June to 5th July, the team will not only be contributing to the

conservation of sea turtles, but will also be involved in mangrove replanting,
repair work for the villagers and WWF info centre, English and conservation awareness education,
assistance in the local women's cottage industry amongst many others.

"Leave the place a little better than you first found it." - Lord Baden Powell
UPDATE: The blog will be updated from time to time with more turtle new issues. However, Project Orion blog will be replaced by the next project when it starts with the new team. So, DO STAY TUNED!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

WWF-Malaysia Shocked Melaka To Develop Pulau Upeh

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 27 (Bernama) -- WWF- Malaysia has expressed shock at Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam's recent announcement the state government planned to develop Pulau Upeh, the primary nesting beach for the hawksbill turtle.

Its executive director/chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysius S. K. Sharma said, what was even more alarming was that the plan surfaced in the wake of WWF-Malaysia's meeting with the chief minister last month, over the importance of Pulau Upeh and other prime nesting beaches for the turtle.

WWF-Malaysia stressed at the meeting that legal protection of all prime nesting beaches, including Pulau Upeh, was needed, he said in a statement Monday.

Further to legal protection, WWF-Malaysia also stressed that only low-impact turtle-based ecotourism was feasible on the island whilst providing the state with valuable tourism income, as well as ensure the survival of the hawksbill.

Dr Dionysius said, proceeding with the development without considering the feasibility and the impact of the impending development on the turtle population, would have a catastrophic effect on the nesting habitat.

He said currently, the nesting beaches in Melaka, including Pulau Upeh, were not legally protected.

The viability of Pulau Upeh for hawksbill conservation is dependent on legal protection of the whole island.

-- BERNAMA

Extracted from: http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com