HILLS are balding and slowly disappearing in mainland Penang especially in the villages around Bukit Batu Kawan and nearby areas due to quarrying activities both licensed and illegal. Not only are the local communities complaints ignored \u201d of dust in the air, of blasts that cause earthquake-like effect bringing out cracks in the walls of houses, and of roads damaged by lorries \u201d so too is the resulting ecological damage. All in the name of development, obviously an unsustainable one, firstly, as the lush green characteristic of the tropics disappear. Secondly, by soil erosion resulting in rivers of mud when the rain pours. And, finally, of hills levelled, thus changing the landscape of the mainland. The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has not tired of making the DAP-led state government aware of the environmental degradation caused by these quarrying activities but not enough is being done to stop the damage despite its \u0153going green\u009d efforts in some respect. Obviously, this \u0153going green\u009d thing is mere lip service.<\/p>\n