Stumped

Forestry Department Called To Clear Things Up

Plot thickens: Non-government environmental organisation wants clarification on extent of illegal logging in Seluyut Forest Reserve

by Chuah Bee Kim

in the Johor Streets today

KOTA TINGGI: The land surrounding a dam should not be denuded as it serves as the water catchment area.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Johor issued the statement in light of the discovery of illegal logging at the Seluyut Forest Reserve, recently.

ITs chairman Vincent Chow said the clearing of vegetation around a dam would not only cause the reservoir to dry up, it would also result in soil erosion.

"Clearing needs to be done before the facility is built, yes, but the surrounding area should not be touched once it is built," he said.

Chow is urging the Johor Forestry Department to clarify where the illegal logging was being carried out in the Seluyut Forest Reserve.

He also called on Syarikat Air Johor Holdings Sdn Bhd  (SAJ) to check the water catchment area of Sungai Lebam reservoir.

"It can be seen very clearly from the road that some clearing work is being done near the reservoir's catchment area. It would defeat the purpose of building a dam if no efforts are made to protect the catchment area and prevent soil erosion."

SAJ corporate communications head Jamaluddin Jamal could not be reached for comment.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Water Research Alliance (Office) dean Prof De Zulkifli Yusop concurs that the clearing of vegetation should only be done prior to the building of a dam.

"To construct the dam, the builder needs to get rid of the biomass at the site. Clearing is therefore necessary, but only that one time, to build the dam," he said.

The Johor Forestry Department could not be reached for a response to the New Straits Times report that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) enforcers had raided the shared quarters if 20 foreigners involved in illegal logging at the Seluyut Forest Reserve.

MACC had also hauled up several state Forestry officers for suspected involvement in the scheme.

It was revealed that the company had been given the green light to clear the 39.94ha Forest reserve to make way for the construction of a dam.