This is why we can’t have nice things.
Walk down any street or sidewalk, and you’ll spot tonnes of trash laying on the side of the road. This is no different for our beautiful forests and streams.
With much disappointment, this behaviour is once again blatantly displayed in a recent visit to Taiping’s Burmese pool, which is made of beautiful streams that run from Bukit Larut’s waterfall.
Source: flickr
Heavy amount of trash were littered EVERYWHERE
This is no exaggeration. You, yourself will have a heartache seeing how this beautiful natural stream which is fondly visited by fellow Malaysians were left completely trashed.
As we hiked up the small path, there were literally not once where it was clear of plastic bags, drink cans, glass bottles, snack packaging, and more.
Many who visit the place would bring food for their picnic or even tools and ingredients for a barbeque. These are amazing activities to do while dipping in fresh, cold running water with your friends and family but the state of how the site is left after the people go home cries: “human beings are the reason our Earth is falling sick”.
Here’s one thing we must all finally address: Malaysians are amazing when it comes to littering
While this does not mean every Malaysian litters, but it’s a collective effort from us all to tell each other: “It’s not okay to leave your trash here.” Some even leave it to be carried away in the water itself!
Perhaps it’s the lack of education and awareness where it is CRUCIAL that we always pick up after ourselves. Because ultimately, who will?
It takes at least 1,000 years for plastic to decompose, and from the rate of how it is now, the stream unfortunately may not remain beautiful for long.
The number 1 excuse
I’m sure you yourself have encountered someone who said this line:
“Every one also doing it. What difference would it make?”
This is a vicious cycle if every one thinks that they can continue simple disposing of their trash just because other people are doing it. Don’t follow what people are doing wrong, do what is RIGHT!
What should we do from here?
Well, it’s simple really:
- Do NOT litter; always pick up your trash and leave nature like how you discovered it
- Educate your friends or family who do not practice this
- Nicely inform people who do not pick after themselves to do so, as we all want to be able to enjoy this place at least 1 year from now
Come on everybody, let’s take a stand once and for all to make sure our family, friends, even strangers practice proper garbage disposal. Always bring an extra plastic bag with you so you can pick up after yourself!
Let’s keep our nature clean so future generations can still enjoy it, not destroy it.
Also read: The Ugly Side of Our Beautiful Malacca Sand Dunes Most M’sians Are Unaware Of
