World Habitat Day 2011 Celebration in Kuala Gula | Let’s celebrate it with us!

About Kuala Gula, Perak
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Kuala Gula is a small fishing village located in the District of Kerian in the state of Perak, about 50km west of Taiping town and 80 km south of Penang. In earlier days, the main agricultural crop here was the sugarcane which supported the local sugar industry. Hence, “Kuala Gula” was chosen as the name of the village, which was established in early 1900.

The current population in Kuala Gula is about 6,500 people. Local people are mainly involved in the fishing industry (fish, shrimp and cockle culture), and associated cottage industries related to shrimp paste and dry shrimp making.

Due to its strategic location and rich natural resources, Kuala Gula is a popular ecotourism site. The vast mangrove forest, scenic river and sea views, traditional fishermen lifestyle and culture and rich coastal biodiversity are the few attractions Kuala Gula can offer to people who want to get away from the buzz of city life. For plant lovers, Kuala Gula is home to about 50 true and associated mangrove plant species. For wildlife enthusiasts, you can see a number of wildlife including the rare and threatened species. For bird watchers, Kuala Gula is a haven for about 200 bird species and is an Important Bird Area.

About the event
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In 1996, during the City Summit in Turkey, UN-HABITAT had determined a set of goals for the new millennium. The Habitat Agenda was then introduced and adopted by 171 countries, including Malaysia. It encompasses over 100 commitments and 600 recommendations necessary to chart future course of actions. It is through this agenda that UN-HABITAT contributes to the overall objective of the UN to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development. The United Nations has designed the first Monday in October every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of human settlements and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.

In conjunction with the World Habitat Day, we (GEC and Sahabat Hutan Bakau) would like to invite you to participate with us in this event to spread the awareness and educate all of our local and neighbouring stakeholders at Kuala Gula, Perak about the priceless mangrove habitat, and its contribution to support the livelihood of local people, local economy and the urban community who are very much dependent on mangrove ecosystem products and services, whilst linking to the subject of climate change into the agenda.

The one day event will take place on November 21st, 2011 in Kuala Gula, Perak. Please refer to the event’s programme as below. Please be informed that you will need to pay RM50.00 per person to cover the cost of food, boat transport and seedling. Payment can be made on the day of the event.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this event and witness the biodiversity wonders of Kuala Gula Mangroves. Have fun, meet new friends, and make a difference for the environment at GEC’s World Habitat Day 2011 Celebration!

Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to call us at 03-7957 2007 (Hyrul Izwan (hyrul@gec.org.my ) or Shafinaz Shahabudin (shafinaz@gec.org.my)).

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PROGRAM : WORLD HABITAT DAY 2011
VENUE : KUALA GULA, PERAK
DATE : 21 NOVEMBER 2011 (MONDAY)

Time Activities
8.00 am Participants arrival and breakfast
8.30 am Participant registration
9.00 am Opening ceremony and launch of WHD 2011

9.30 am Exhibition Area/ Bird Museum
9.45 am Visit to Video show on Kuala Gula
10.00 am Mangrove River Cruise and Mangrove tree planting activity (Main activity only open for adults or youths of 12 years and above)
12.00 pm Visit to mangrove nursery and Interpretative Mangrove Tour

1.00 pm Lunch Break/ Zohor Prayers
2.00 pm Concurrent sessions:
- Art and craft contest (School children category)
- Mangrove derived products’ contest (Adult category)
3.30 pm Kampung Tour / Village Sightseeing.
4.00 pm Evening refreshment / Asar prayer
4.30 pm Closing ceremony and presentation of presents / certificates.
5.00 pm Programme end


NOTE:
1. Implementation of the schedule above is very much dependent on the weather, tide condition, etc.

How to get there?