Deserted Mining Land

During the Chinese New year period, my uncle and I explored the portion of the deserted mining land by riding on a 70cc Honda Cub motorbike. Went through the winding paths surrounding the outskirt of the western side of the village and passed through many duck rearing ponds and also palm oil trees planted on this wasteland. We lamented at how the tin mines had benefited many of the villagers by helping them to raise up children and families, but now the land is left there with the most fertile top layer soil been washed away and left with sand dunes as white as snow. What a wasteful effect and ecological impact on the land, I would consider this a wasteland if it does not generate any revenue for the country and left idling undeveloped. Many years ago, this place was dotted with Palongs! (This word of "Palong" might be lost forever without any sign of tin mining activity for the past 2 decades or so and we learned this word from our geography lessons in secondary school days on tin mining in Kinta valley and now this Palong is no where to be seen) If not because of some vegetation, and peat swamps around, the landscape is simply too plain and ugly. We did pay a price for the wealth that we gained through those early mining years. The landscape was changed every time a new mine was in operation or a dredge passed through that area. So much so that we all could not paint an original image as to how the original landscape looked like, only bits and pieces from the very far recess of our memories reminded us of a very faint picture!

Now this place which is adjacent to Tronoh mines, Kampong Timah, Tualang and Kampong Gajah areas are thriving with water birds, ponds and palm trees illegally planted all over. Perhaps now the more sophiscated villagers are hoping the opposition party will eventually win and rule the Perak state in the next general election, and hopefully land titles or who knows even compensation could be granted if the new government wants to utilize the land again and at the same time to win the hearts of the voters to stay in power!