THE Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) has ordered the developer at Gunung Bongsu Forest Reserve in Kulim to expedite replanting on a cleared area before proceeding with logging.
Responding to villagers’ complaints about deforestation affecting their well-being, the DOE said the concerned “compartments” within the forest reserve were “in a controlled condition” with “valid environmental impact assessment (EIA) records”.
Kedah DOE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said this was shown during an inspection and drone monitoring on Nov 19 with the state Forestry Department, Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and police.
“No activity has taken place in Compartments 15 and 43.
“In Compartment 42, work is being carried out in phases and just one block, involving an area of 50ha, has been opened.
“The contractor has cleared 45ha and begun planting forest trees.
“The remaining area has not been touched,” she said in a statement, adding that the area consists of secondary forest.
However, several measures have been recommended to prevent erosion risk and other impacts.
This includes the developer expediting the planting process on the 45ha of land before continuing timber extraction from the remaining 5ha.
“The developer needs to complete the replanting process before conducting new logging activities.
“DOE and the Forestry Department will (then) reinspect for verification.”
Sharifah Zakiah said the developer must also complete the planting of ground cover for crops, prepare a best management practice plan for exposed and forested areas and lay a crusher run for its access road to prevent erosion.
She said DOE would summon developers and other contractors involved in the forest farm project for a legal briefing and stress EIA approval conditions.
“Failure to comply with these (EIA) conditions will result in the project proponent being prosecuted under Section 34A(8) of the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, and if convicted, (the offender) may face imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine of up to RM1mil.”
On Nov 15, the Kedah DOE received complaints via the JAS e-Complaint System alleging Sungai Karangan was being damaged, linking it to forestry plantation activities in Compartment 15 of the Gunung Bongsu Forest Reserve.
An investigation was launched after some 500 villagers from eight villages claimed that extensive logging and hill clearing had triggered flash floods in October.
Environmental activist Mohd Sobree Ramlee said among the worst hit villages were Kampung Seberang Jaya, Kampung Bangol Penyengat, Kampung Sam Sam, Kampung Jangkang, Kampung Padang Limau, Kampung Kob, Kampung Batu Puteh and Kampung Maryland.
Gunung Bongsu Residents’ Association chairman Jaafar Md Isa claimed that the community’s main water supply was contaminated due to deforestation, sparking concern about the long-term health risk and worsening environmental damage.
He urged the authorities to take action before tragedy hits as a landslide had occurred in the area.
In response, Kedah DOE confirmed mud flooding on Oct 23 that affected several houses.
It said impacted villages have fully recovered, with no visible trace of mud or soil.
