We refer to the Malaysiakini report Wong fears of 'lights out' for fireflies .

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is concerned with the indiscriminate clearing of the core firefly areas, which were recommended for protection by MNS to the state government in the ‘Strategies for Conservation and Tourism Development at Sungai Selangor Riparian Forest, 1997'.

These areas were recommended for protection again in the MNS report ‘Fireflies Studies in Kuala Selangor District, 2002' to the state of Selangor. The recommendation of the main core fireflies area was captured in the Rancangan Pembangunan Tempatan Kuala Selangor 2005-2015 to be gazetted as a firefly sanctuary.

Although the DYMM Sultan of Selangor further sent a conservation message to the local community and the country in 2005 and 2006, no proactive effort has been taken to support the call of the Sultan, and the gazetting of the sanctuary has not materialised to date.

The precautionary approach is a more rational and cheaper solution ie, do nothing to this area if we do not have the data and understanding of our activities towards the area.

However, with the land now cleared, it has now caused more complex problems of site rehabilitation, revoking or aquiring land from private owners, and has further negatively affected the firefly tourism industry that the state continues to actively promote.

MNS commends the effort of Elizabeth Wong, the Selangor Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee chairperson and the state to undertake immediate actions to rehabilitate the cleared land which is the most critical step. MNS further recommends the following actions to be undertaken:

1. Protect the remaining pockets of fireflies habitats along the river. These will allow for future repopulation of the damaged area.

2. Protect the river buffer zones and the river loops of riparian forest. This is important on a landscape level and biological level, both necessary for the continued survival of this species, which is inherently linked to the tourism industry in this area.

Protecting the remnants of the riparian forest in the loops of the rivers (cleared and uncleared areas) will ensure the survival of the fireflies in the long-term.

3. Prevent the ground from drying up fast from the clearing. It should be covered up by other ground cover plants, awaiting the various mangroves seedlings from the nurseries to be transferred.

4. Conduct intense firefly research work on this particular species (Pteroptyx tener) with the aim of repopulating the cleared areas. The display trees, the firefly breeding areas and the food for the larvae must all be looked into.

5. Increase the awareness of the local communities and landowners. This is needed especially on the importance of the firefly habitats.

A dedicated local group should be formed to take the lead role in reaching out to all local stakeholders and to further monitor the firefly sanctuary and be part of the rehabilitation activities of the affected areas, together with the authorities and other organisations.

Having been associated with the Kuala Selangor area and its associated fireflies since the 1970s, MNS has had a long standing history and interest, and we stand ready to assist the state in efforts re-establish the integrity of this important area industry to the state.

What are the chances for the firefly population to recover? It will definitely take much time and effort for the rehabilitation work.

Malaysia will be hosting the second International Firefly Symposium in 2010, and the participants are looking forward to visit this important site.

At the very least, for now, it should be a showcase for firefly habitat rehabilitation work, rather than allowing such indiscriminate acts to continue, and allowing our critical natural assets to be jeopardised in terms of eco-toursim, heritage and bio-diversity potentials.

Please protect our Sg Selangor fireflies and their habitat.

The writer is executive director, Malaysian Nature Society .