In a significant victory for wildlife protection, authorities in Malaysia seized over 1,000 parts from endangered species like Malayan tigers and leopards near Taman Negara National Park not too long ago. Four individuals were arrested, and this massive operation highlights the critical role of increased enforcement in protecting our biodiversity hotspots. We discuss the impact of this seizure, the ongoing fight against wildlife poaching and trafficking, and also the importance of continued investment in wildlife protection efforts with Kanitha Krishnasamy, the Director for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia.



Image credit: Afrianto Silalahi / Shutterstock.com

In a significant victory for wildlife protection, authorities in Malaysia <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.traffic.org/news/major-malaysian-seizure/">seized</a> over 1,000 parts from endangered species like Malayan tigers and leopards near Taman Negara National Park not too long ago. Four individuals were arrested, and this massive operation highlights the critical role of increased enforcement in protecting our biodiversity hotspots. We discuss the impact of this seizure, the ongoing fight against wildlife poaching and trafficking, and also the importance of continued investment in wildlife protection efforts with Kanitha Krishnasamy, the Director for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.traffic.org/">TRAFFIC</a> in Southeast Asia.Image credit: Afrianto Silalahi / <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Shutterstock.com">Shutterstock.com</a>

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

Earth Matters

Stomping Out Poaching: Ground Troops In The Fight to Save Wildlife

This story begins almost ten years ago, with durian trees planted patiently and a village waiting for the right time. After hosting only small groups of friends for years, the Semai hosts at Indigenous Tropical Adventure & Homestay or ITAH are now ready to open their doors more widely, with support from Gerimis Art. The experience centres on fruit season, forest life, and cultural exchange, guided by the community themselves. To share more on how this collaboration came about, the Semai hosts, and what visitors can expect, we’re joined by Wendi Sia, the Co-Founder of Gerimis Art.

This story begins almost ten years ago, with durian trees planted patiently and a village waiting for the right time. After hosting only small groups of friends for years, the Semai hosts at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSt5wpGE4y8/?img_index=1">Indigenous Tropical Adventure &amp; Homestay</a> or ITAH are now ready to open their doors more widely, with support from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gerimisart.com/">Gerimis Art</a>. The experience centres on fruit season, forest life, and cultural exchange, guided by the community themselves. To share more on how this collaboration came about, the Semai hosts, and what visitors can expect, we’re joined by Wendi Sia, the Co-Founder of Gerimis Art.

Indigenous Ecotourism with the Semai Community

Across the Klang Valley, many small green spaces are overlooked, even as they continue to support wildlife and communities. At the same time, there are people quietly working to protect, reconnect, and care for these places. The exhibition Fragmented-Connected asks what we have lost through urbanisation, and what it means to reconnect, through conservation, community, and storytelling. We find out more from Siti Syuhada Sapno, the Programme Coordinator at the Forest Learning Centre at Perdana Botanical Garden, and the curator and writer of the exhibition, and also Vivian Soon, a Wildlife and Conservation Officer at the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), and Project Coordinator for Rantaian Urban Green Spaces (RUGS), an initiative linking urban green spaces across the Klang Valley. 

Across the Klang Valley, many small green spaces are overlooked, even as they continue to support wildlife and communities. At the same time, there are people quietly working to protect, reconnect, and care for these places. The exhibition <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS4PM9KkZLs/">Fragmented-Connected</a> asks what we have lost through urbanisation, and what it means to reconnect, through conservation, community, and storytelling. We find out more from Siti Syuhada Sapno, the Programme Coordinator at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/theforesthouseflc">Forest Learning Centre</a> at Perdana Botanical Garden, and the curator and writer of the exhibition, and also Vivian Soon, a Wildlife and Conservation Officer at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://mns.my/">Malaysian Nature Society</a> (MNS), and Project Coordinator for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rugs.my/">Rantaian Urban Green Spaces</a> (RUGS), an initiative linking urban green spaces across the Klang Valley.&nbsp;

Fragmented-Connected: Finding Nature in a Concrete Klang Valley

Climate policies are often designed far from the people most affected by climate change, and while global commitments are important, they don’t always reflect realities on the ground. In Thailand, communities are dealing with flooding, extreme heat, and changing livelihoods, and women are often at the center of responding, yet missing from decision-making. So what happens when policy doesn’t meet lived experience? Joining us to unpack this is Wanun Permpibul, a climate activist and the Director of Climate Watch Thailand, who works at the intersection of climate justice, policy, and grassroots action.


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Climate policies are often designed far from the people most affected by climate change, and while global commitments are important, they don’t always reflect realities on the ground. In Thailand, communities are dealing with flooding, extreme heat, and changing livelihoods, and women are often at the center of responding, yet missing from decision-making. So what happens when policy doesn’t meet lived experience? Joining us to unpack this is Wanun Permpibul, a climate activist and the Director of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.climatewatch-thailand.org/">Climate Watch Thailand</a>, who works at the intersection of climate justice, policy, and grassroots action. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Stomping Out Poaching: Ground Troops In The Fight to Save Wildlife

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