I was standing at a foot of a tree in the twilight, listening to the sounds of nature. Suddenly, as I was turning to go back, I began to hear soft murmurs all around me which became more and more distinct. Initially I thought it was the sound of a small stream or the rustling of leaves over my head. I looked at a clearing in the forest but saw nothing. At length, the sound grew more intelligible. It was the sound of small creatures that were hiding in the dark places in the forest. Soon the trees joined in and they were holding a sort of mass communication with me. The sound slowly turned into clear words, echoed several times: Save us! Death is all around us!
This is a painting of my dream ecopark. As it is, it shall remain a dream. Life holds many uncertainties. However, as far as environment is concerned, there is one certainty - the world is getting warmer. The ice bordering the Artic is breaking up. The flood has paralysed a whole neighbouring city. In certain parts of Johor, the people are still standing on soggy land. The drought is coming. Are we on the eve of some major ecological upheaval?
The illegal logging and land clearing should now be classified as major social sins. More funds and effort should be poured into nature conservation. Each of us have also sinned a little by contributing to the greenhouse effect. This earth is the only one of its kind that we have at the moment. Please take good care of it.
