Selangor ~ Travel News

Kampung Kuantan Fireflies - fading into darkness

The fireflies of Kampung Kuantan is a very popular tourist attraction. However the fireflies population is in danger of dwindling. This is because villagers were going into the mangrove jungle and cutting down the trees. The fallen trees, branches and rubbish further pollute the river, and affect the environment. The villagers look for mangrove leaves (nipah) to make attap as well as to catch the giant udang galah prawns. They also use engine boats along this river and this disturbs the fireflies as these insects were sensitive to noises. Another growing problem is the loss of the cooling environment. The depleting shade and mangrove shelters make it difficult for the fireflies and other water creatures to breed and survive. Also another worrying factor is the effects of a nearby dam and water extraction projects that could alter the water levels that were necessary for the fireflies to survive. The Malaysian Nature Society had done a report on this and had submitted its report to the Selangor State government. 

*It is our hope that some action will be taken soon to preserve this glittering attraction for all to gaze. We fear though that the damage had been already done and the fireflies spectacle may soon be a thing of the past.