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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: CONSTRUCTION OF EKVE WILL HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES It is with dismay and disappointment that right-minded citizens greeted the news that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) had given its approval for the construction of the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) today ( The Star, 20th Aug 2015 ). This proposed expressway project would have far-reaching consequences that go beyond the boundaries of Ampang and would adversely affect the water supply and air quality of Selangor residents, as well as destroy and fragmentise wildlife habitats. The decision of the council, which brushes aside the entirely valid concerns of citizen action groups, environmental organisations and the scientific and conservation community, makes a mockery of the concepts of transparency, democracy and participation in Local Agenda 21, which the municipal council and state government claim to be committed to. It has often been reiterated that the Ulu Gombak and Ampang forests, which t...

PENCINTA ALAM SEPTEMBER 2015 GREEN LIVING COLUMN NON-TOXIC AIR FRESHENERS By Wong Ee Lynn < wongeelynn@yahoo.com / gl.mnselangor@yahoo.com > Clever advertising makes us believe that commercial 'air fresheners' and deodorisers can make a room smell fresh and clean, but there is nothing clean about the butane, propane, dichlorobenzene, phthalates and other toxins found in most store-bought air fresheners. These products do not actually improve the quality of indoor air, but merely masks other unpleasant scents, and can contribute to a host of ailments including breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea. Chemical-free alternatives are available in natural and organic food stores, but are usually too expensive for the average homeowner. If you are going to use air fresheners often, it is best to make your own air fresheners and experiment with the recipes and ideas below until you find one or several that suit your needs and purposes. 1. Use good quality, nat...

PENCINTA ALAM SEPTEMBER 2015 EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT Green Living SIG's Visit-and-Volunteer Session at the TTDI Edible Project Garden (Photo credits: Susan Tam of the TTDI Edible Project ) Need ideas for your own balcony or kitchen garden? Keen to find out more about composting, mulching, vertical gardening and natural pest control? Come join us in a hands-on session at the TTDI Edible Project Garden! Date: Saturday, 26th September 2015 Time: 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Location: The garden space next to the TTDI Community Centre tennis courts, Jalan Athinahapan, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur. Itinerary: Guided tour of the garden and Q&A session followed by a hands-on gardening session. No fee charged and no registration necessary. Open to the public. Just show up in comfortable outdoor clothes. Bring any gardening tools you may have, drinking water, sunblock and insect repellent. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please email Ee Lynn at wongeelynn...

PENCINTA ALAM SEPTEMBER 2015 ECO KIDS COLUMN HELPING OUT TIRED BEES By Wong Ee Lynn (Compiled from rspb.org.uk and Bumblebee Conservation Trust . Photo credits: moralfibre.co.uk ) Bumblebees feed on the nectar and pollen made inside flowers. Nectar is a sugary liquid that gives bees energy. Pollen is full of protein which helps the body  of bumblebees to grow. It is well-known that bumblebees are great pollinators, and therefore have a key role in producing much of the food that we eat. Bumblebees are disappearing all around the world because there are fewer flowering plants to provide nectar and pollen for them. Also, pesticides and other chemicals sprayed onto plants are killing bumblebees in large numbers. If bumblebee and other insect pollinator declines continue, people would have to find new and artificial ways to pollinate the crops that we grow. These artificial ways may not always be as safe or efficient as having bumblebees as natural pollinators. It could also...