KUANTAN: The Pahang Forestry Department has denied allegations that logging activities caused the contamination of the water catchment pond at Bukit Segantang in Sungai Lembing here.
Its director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin said logging was not being carried out near the pond, which was reportedly a source of water supply for about 100 residents in Kampung Kuala Kenau here.
He said the department had issued a logging licence in the area involving 25ha of state government land of non-virgin jungle status, divided into two blocks.
“Work is at 15% and involves only Block A.
“The water catchment area in question is in Block B and so far, work has yet to begin,” he said yesterday.
The department, said Dr Mohd Hizamri, had also carried out a field inspection at 5pm on Friday.
“We found that the catchment pond is still clear, not murky at all and still being used by some villagers,” he said.
Dr Mohd Hizamri was responding to claims by Kampung Kuala Kenau residents that the 100-year-old water catchment pond had been polluted since May 20, following logging activities.
He said he had held consultations with representatives of the residents near the forest to get their views on March 14.
Besides those from Kampung Kuala Kenau, the session was also attended by representatives from Kampung Sungai Mas, Kampung Melayu Sungai Lembing, Kampung Jeram Takar and Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Mas, he said.
“During the session, there were no objections against the logging activities and the representatives also signed a letter agreeing to these,” Dr Mohd Hizamri said. — Bernama
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