Hatching a plan to save the turtles of Terengganu (Malaysia)

IN the next year or so, a drive to Penarik will be an interesting one. And it is not just due to the scenic route, where coconut trees dot the sandy white beaches or the serene blue ocean.The Turtle Conservation Centre aims to restore depleted wild populations of freshwater, terrestrial and marine turtles in the country.It is because the site will also be home to the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC).The objective of the centre, to be located on a 3.2ha plot, is the conservation of the species as well as a site for research and outreach programmes.Malaysian Nature Society president Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor told the New Straits Times that these would include educational campaigns, volunteer and fund-raising activities. The TCC will also aim to restore the depleted wild populations of freshwater, terrestrial and marine turtles in the country, especially in northern Terengganu.Freshwater and marine turtle conservation work in Penarik is now carried out by three agencies, namely the state Fisheries Department, World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. The establishment of the conservation centre in Penarik, which has been described in the past as a stronghold for the survival of river and painted terrapins, will allow for the coordination of activities by the three agencies.Even better, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin is poised to become its patron. Salleh said the king has consented to the setting up of the centre in Penarik, Setiu, "without hesitation" after the former had sought an audience with him in May."Hopefully, the centre will also become an ideal site for eco-tourism, which is a huge business worldwide and will have many spillover effects for the local community."Salleh, who is also the Sultan Mizan Royal Foundation deputy chairman, said some RM2.5 million in funds was needed to set up TCC. He said the centre would begin operations as early as next year.He said that MNS was willing to work with other related non-governmental organisations to make the centre a success. Former Universiti Malaysia Terengganu lecturer Prof Chan Eng Heng, who is the brains behind the centre, said the centre was modelled after the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute in Nova Scotia, Canada.The centre will consist of an open-air hatchery, ponds and tanks for head-starting of freshwater turtles, breeding ponds and outdoor exhibits. Those interested in donating towards the centre can contact Salleh or Chan at MNS and http://mail.niot.res.in/cgi-bin/openwebmail/openwebmail-send.pl?sessionid=prince*mail.niot.res.in-session-0.643077025553076&folder=INBOX&page=1&sort=date&keyword=&searchtype=subject&action=composemessage&message_id=%3Ch5jh2j%2Bgm15%40eGroups.com%3E&compose_caller=read&to=enghengchan%40gmail.com respectively.