25 Form 4 Physics students from SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah were the first in Cameron Highlands this year to join in REACH’s CSI program. Instead of an actual crime scene investigation, we conducted a community stream investigation under the watchful eye of REACH’s Vice President, Dr Liau Tai Leong. Accompanied by their teacher Mr Kannan and four REACH volunteers: Elucia, Geogina, Sze Yung and myself, we trekked from SMKSAS all the way to Sg Pauh Forest Reserve by 8.45am.
Upon reaching we startled upon a crimson breasted trogon perching quietly on a tree branch. Miraculously it did not take flight and we managed to take a few decent shots of the trogon before it flew off and we met up with Dr Liau and another two REACH volunteers namely Kai Hang and Sivan. Our first order of the day was an educational briefing session by Dr Liau, who shared a little of the origins of REACH and the CSI program.
Equipped with the basics of how the investigation should proceed, we walked out to a section of Sg Bertam just opposite All Souls Church. There we began our investigation. Volunteers from each of the 4 groups slowly made their way into the muddy river to collect samples and to search for biological indicators. The other group members who did not go into the river had to conduct a physical assessment of the river and its surroundings; did the river look clear or murky, were there any signs of human development close to the river etc.
At the end of 15 minutes, the boys came back to shore with a few creatures they managed to find in the muddy river. There were mostly leeches but we were surprised to find a damselfly larva in the midst of the leeches. We hope that this is an indication that the water quality is improving as we have not found damselfly larvae in this section of the river before.
We trudged solemnly to the next part of our investigation: Sg Pauh. There we again split up into four groups to conduct our investigations at different sections of the clear stream. This time, I was adamant that everyone should get a turn to enter the water to search for biological indicators. But I had no difficulty encouraging them to enter the water this time because the first time I hauled the net up with Sze Yung, the students were treated to such wonders as they have not known before to exist in the clean rivers of Cameron Highlands. We found a number of dragonfly larva, stonefly larva, mayfly larva, and probably the most exciting for them was the river crab we caught. Soon everybody was squealing with joy standing in the shallows of the cold stream as they happily hauled up net after net of macro invertebrates. The first time they saw a riffle beetle larva, the girls couldn’t help screaming out loud when they saw what looked like a dark brown squirming caterpillar wriggling in the net, but soon enough they got over their squeamishness and happily started sorting the creatures into different containers to prevent the predators from eating up the other species.
Finally, after much coaxing (and to a certain degree threatening on the part of the volunteers), the students reluctantly climbed out of the river so that we could return to the campsite for a bite to eat and record the data we have accumulated from both rivers. Everybody ravenously consumed the curry puffs and doughnuts prepared with much gusto then with renewed energy in their bodies, the students proceeded to record the data they collected for the whole day to make a short presentation with Dr Liau to give his opinions on whether their investigations were well coordinated.
Unanimously, all four groups concluded that the water quality for Sg Pauh far exceeds that of Sg Bertam in terms of the variety of macro invertebrates found in both rivers. Even though the chemical testing of both rivers did not have too much difference because both rivers had a pH value of 6.5-7 and the electrical conductivity of both rivers were quite similar as well as that of the dissolved oxygen content in both rivers. However it was noted that the turbidity between both rivers were hugely distinct as Sg Bertam was definitely more than 8JTU whereas Sg Pauh was a clear 0JTU.
The students also noted the different physical locations of both rivers, Sg Bertam being very close to human development in the heart of a village and Sg Pauh in the shade of the forest reserve. But the most important factor was that of the biological indicators where they were able to see so many incredible species at Sg Pauh but only 3 at Sg Bertam which were not as sensitive towards their living conditions. They concluded that Sg Pauh had good or excellent water quality but Sg Bertam had poor quality water.
After a final group photo we all jungle trekked all the way back to Tanah Rata where we all said our goodbyes and went home. It had been a good day with this bunch of students and we all had lots of fun especially at the clean Sg Pauh. Mr Kannan was so pleased with the investigations the students made today that he asked if REACH could conduct a program especially for the teachers of SMKSAS in the near future. Dr Liau and I assured him that we would definitely get in touch again regarding this matter soon.
by Melody Woon