DID: Sand works not affecting turtles

The river mouth of Sungai Puya in Segari, Manjung is choked up by sand.

THE sand dredging work at the Sungai Puya estuary is not affecting any turtle landing sites there.

Perak Drainage and Irrigation Department director Dr Ahmad Anuar Othman said the landing sites were situated some 800m away and not near the area that was being dredged.

“We have met with the Fisheries Department and the turtle conservation centre there on the dredging work before we started.

“They too have confirmed that it will not affect the nests,” he said when contacted.

It was reported that a group of environmental non-governmental organisations has voiced their concerns on the dredging activities there, fearing that the changes in the terrain would deter turtles from landing.

Dr Ahmad Anuar said the dredging works was to alleviate flooding issues upstream that affected several villages.

He said about 90% of the river mouth was choked up and this disrupted the flow of water towards the sea.

“The dredging work will only be held for a month.

“We will then monitor the situation afterwards,” he said.