By SIMON KHOO

simonkhoo@thestar.com.my

FRASER’S HILL: A team of 20 bird enthusiasts teamed up to produce a book on the various species of birds found in the popular hill resort here.

After six months of hard work, the book entitled Khazanah Burung Bukit Fraser was completed and on sale in all major book stores now.

The book is said to be the first written in Malay as most books on birds in the market are in English.

Author Mike Chong said he co-wrote the book, containing over 300 pictures of birds, with Sutari Supari.

Chong said the idea of writing the book in Malay came about two years ago and they finally decided to work on it late last year.

Bird book lovers: Chong (third from right) and contributors of photos used in the book and publisher Rizanudin (second from right) Henry Goh is the fella at far left of the photo. Cheers SAS Muar Old Boys !.

“We managed to convince a publisher, Rizanudin Nordin of Tinta Publishers to print the book.

“Other friends and birders then came forward to supply us with good and rare pictures of birds spotted here,” he said in an interview.

He said that among others, the book contained descriptions of at least 93 main bird species found in Fraser’s Hill, an introduction and guide to birdwatching as well as index of bird species along with their Malay, English and scientific names.

He believes that there is a market for such a book in Malay as there are many animal and bird lovers in the country.

“We want to promote birdwatching activities in Malaysia and we think it is important to produce a book and put on record the species of birds found in Fraser’s Hill, for the benefit of future generations,” he said.

Rizanudin said that for a start, he would print 2,000 copies of the book and it would be sold at RM73 each.

“If the response is good, we will consider a reprint and update the book accordingly.

“We will also approach libraries and schools for them to place orders so that it can be used to educate the public and students,” he said.

Rizanudin, who is also a bird lover, said efforts must be made by all parties to preserve and conserve the abundance of flora and fauna in Malaysia.