~IMPORTANCE OF DUGONG TO MANKIND~

Introduction

2007-04-27T10:03:00.000+08:00

There are linkages between climate change and human development. Climate change is one of the most important and complex challenges facing humanity in the 21st Century. The world’s development brings positive and negative implications to human, animals and environment. Our activities have resulted in the salinity changes which bring drastic effects on the DUGONGS. Dugongs in Australia have been killed as result of entanglement in nets which are used to protect swimmers from sharks. Why are we being self-centered? Why are they the one mostly affected by the consequences and implication? Aren’t they important to human and environment? In what way do they bring importance to us? In this blog, you will learn the importance of dugong to human and environment. At the same time, you will acknowledge different perspectives from difference people regarding this everlasting issue. Take a seat, read these fabulous articles and reflect them on all the actions we have done. Hopefully, you will wake up from your fantasies and get back on track. Open up your mind and let your consciousness and awareness flow freely~

Importance of Dugong to Mankind

2007-04-12T18:20:00.000+08:00

IMPORTANCE OF DUGONG TO MANKIND

Dugongs are hunted throughout their range of meat and it has been linked to veal. They are also hunted for their oil, hides for leather and also for their bones and teeth. The dugongs’ bones and teeth are made widely into ivory artifacts and charcoal for sugar refining. Some Asian cultures prize dugong products for medicinal purposes.

Along the coasts of Thailand, the people consider the meat of the dugong to be very delicious. The dugongs are hunted in the past for various uses and importance. The Thai villagers believe that the dugong skin, bones, tears, tusks have their own function and are beneficial for them. These parts have aphrodisiac, protective, anti-rheumatic and other medical properties. However, high price would be paid for these body parts. For example, a set of tusks may be sold at a price of 10,000 Thai baht. Into perspective, in 1999 the average salary in Thailand was 6600 baht per month and the monthly salary of a farmer, hunter, and fisher was 3050 baht per month.

This situation had become a polemic in 1995, when a Thai newsletter reported this phenomenon. They announced that these tusks are sometimes sold for 100,000 Thai baht. Through village officials, trades are done openly and directly form the fishers. Then, these buyers will resell them to an amulet-maker and they shall obtain double or triple the profit. If this matter goes out of hand, our next generation will only know the existence of these creatures through books and manuscript. They shall lie as pre-existing animals after the dinosaurs and dodo.

Although the uses of dugong body parts as medicine and amulets is current in some areas, the image of the dugong as a symbol for coastal conservation is becoming popular. In Trang Province, the large population of dugongs can be found. These dugongs are considered as a flagship species and they symbolize the awareness of the importance of marine environment which are actually spreading and growing.

Nateekanjanalarp and Sudara told a legend on Libong Island in Trang Province where a woman became a dugong because she was cravings for seagrass pods. Then she returned to her husbands as a mermaid and followed by being a dugong. Based from this legend, it is claimed that the tears of the dugong are a powerful love potion. Some people would pay for just these potions which has not proof regarding its function as a potion.

A Walk In Different Shoes

2007-04-04T07:39:00.000+08:00

The reporter, Nazneen Ridzuan had interviewed her mother, Madame Rose Albakri to explore her mother’s point of view regarding dugong and its importance. Bellow is the interview that had been captured, exclusive just for you!

| Q | Did you know that people have mistreated the dugongs by hunting for their meat, oils, leather, bones and teeth? What do you say about this situation?

| A | Yes, I’ve heard that people, mostly in Thailand hunt dugongs for their features which provide benefits and profits to them. This is very upsetting, it is very inhumane. We should find the best alternatives to stop this problem before these creatures reach extinction. If this scenario goes on, the future generation will only know the existence of dugongs through stories and books.

| Q | In your opinion, what are the ways we can do to prevent the dugongs from extinction?

| A | I think the authority should enforce and implement laws to protect these delicate creatures. The government and the private companies should gain cooperation to protect these creatures as well as preserving their habitats. The experts should propose projects to protect these animals and its habitats. As a responsible society we should give full support to these projects by donating money and providing mental and physical support.

| Q | Why do you think we should protect the dugongs?

| A | I think we should protect these creatures from the crossing the bridge of extinction. If this situation goes on, it will disturb the food chains of the animals and at the same causing the population of animals to decrease. Dugong is a unique creature, some expert believed that dugongs are intelligent creatures. If we lose them, what do we have left to cherish?

Interview by Nazneen Ridzuan
Published and edited by Ainaa Abdullah

Perspectives Broadening the Pathway

2007-03-04T15:03:00.000+08:00

The reporter, Aqilah Mohsin had interviewed her Biology teacher, Madame Mastura to view her classmate’s perspectives regarding dugong and its importance. Bellow is the interview that had been captured, exclusive just for you!

| Q | Did you know that people have mistreated the dugongs by hunting for their meat, oils, leather, bones and teeth? What do you say about this situation?

| A | I think it is very cruel of us killing animals for their meat, oil and features at the fact that these animals are on the verge of extinction. I even thought these animals had extinct because of the legends of the mermaids. We should let them live in the same way as they are letting us living our lives. We should not disturb the life cycles and the food chains because in the end, it will affect ourselves. If we disturb the dynamic equilibrium of the animals and environment, the diverse species that are linked together could not provide environmental services to human and other species.

| Q | In your opinion what are the ways we can do to prevent the dugong from extinction?

| A |From my opinion, protection acts should be made and implemented. We should help these animals breed safely without being harmed by irresponsible individuals. When these animals are capable of breeding in a safe and conductive environment, I believe the population will increase because the diverse species are linked together. At the same time, more researches should be done to investigate this issue and the best alternatives.

| Q | Why do you think we should protect the dugongs?

| A | Like I said earlier, by protecting the dugongs we are able to uphold the dynamic equilibrium of diverse species, protect its life cycle as well as preventing the food chain from being broken. These species support the interaction among other species and their ecosystem for food, shelter and other basic needs. If this species disappear, the survival of other species will be affected as their survival depends on the dugongs. Take a basic example, if you untie a knot in the centre of a chain, automatically the chain is broken. Simple as that!

Interviewed by Aqilah Mohsin

Published and edited by Ainaa Abdullah

The Inner View

2007-03-04T14:32:00.000+08:00

The reporter, Najwa Abdul Ghafar had interviewed her classmate, Nur Alia to track her classmate’s point of view regarding dugong and its importance. Bellow are the interview that had been captured, exclusive just for you!

| Q | Did you know that people have mistreated the dugongs by hunting for their meat,oils, leather, bones and teeth? What do you say about this situation?

| A | Yes, I’ve done some research on the dugongs and I’ve found out various information conforming the bad treatment that are given to these sweet, innocent creatures. Well, what can I say, human being are just inhumane. We tend to show our selfishness and lack of love and care. Most of the time, we think about ourselves more than anyone else... We must change that.

| Q | In your opinion what are the ways we can do to prevent the dugongs from extinction?

| A |The best way to protect the dugongs is by educating the society. We are the ones killing these innocent creatures. We are the one hunting and killing them for the sake of money. The government should make more campaigns not only to love the water, saying NO to smoking but also love and care for the animals. The laws should be implemented and all eyes should be open up wide!

| Q | Why do you think we should protect the dugongs?

| A | I think we should protect the dugongs because they are living things, just like us. We should put ourselves in their shoes. What do we feel when other people are cutting our air supply, leaving us to suffocate? They breathe the same air and live in the same world; we can’t simply kick them out of this world! Respect their rights! Respect their authority!

Interviewed by Najwa Abdul Ghafar
Published and edited by Ainaa Abdullah