As it meanders over rocks, cutting its way to the sea, what should be an exciting journey must now be a horrendous one, as Old Man River has found out ever since man began civilisations on its banks.
Rivers have become natural and convenient sewers. Whatever that's discarded, inevitably ends up in a river. And it's not only trash either. Developers quite non-chalantly allow silt to flow into rivers, raising the river bed, padding the banks. No one notices until one day the heavens open and a huge downpour showers the earth with blessings. At first, it looks like a stream of red sludge. Uncleared after a few years,the sludge forms into a new bank causing narrowing and shallowing of rivers. And what's the result of that? Floods of course! And with it the destruction of beauty that once banked the river.
The photographs you just saw are of Sungai Kayu Ara which runs through Ara Damansara. When I take my walks in the morning, it dismays me that this river, which in its unpolluted and undisturbed state would be a carrier of untold natural beauty. I can only think back to the days when I lived overseas at how beautiful the river and canal banks were.
The river and canal cruises are so enjoyable and relaxed not only because of its slow pace as it meanders and negotiates the turns and curves of the waterway, but the view being on board affords. The river bank teems with amphibious and bird wildlife. The odd reptile appears now again which raises the excitement level on the boat for a brief moment.
The canal routes on ground are equally pleasant. Because the banks of the canal are well cared for, no not professionally landscaped (ugh!). It's preservation of the natural environment. A cycle path weaves over the bank where cyclists, either on errands or just leisure have a pleasant ride to and from their destinations. And for pedestrians, ooo la la, what joy and peace to take a walk along the canal bank path on a sunny day with a balmy breeze blowing. Just off the beaten path, you will come across a village pub for a great lager and scrumptious pub food. Just a simple search for "canal boat trips" reveals a rich list of canals throughout the UK, which shows you just how popular these sort of excursions are.
Is that too much to hope for our Malaysian river banks? Looking at the total disregard towards our rivers, I'm afraid the answer is "yes". I truly wish for the local and federal authorities to realise just how much potential there is for rehabilitating our rivers and the economic potential they hold for local tourism (especially for schools to educate their children on river ecology), foreign tourism (another way for foreigners to appreciate the local life) and most of all what pride our country could take in promoting our living rivers as opposed to its current state of "dying sewer".
A cycle track cum walking path along the river banks makes for inspirational exercise. No doubt I'm sure after a while a Ramli Burger or Keropok Lekor stall will set up, but as long as all trading en route is regulated so that the path does not turn into a hawker trail, I still think the idea viable.
With so many corporates getting on the conservation bandwagon, I am praying someone out there will spare a thought for our once beautiful rivers and bring them back to be recognised as a gift from nature.
