Expert: Destruction of forest linked to decline in health

Unwell: A Bateq child sweating due to high fever sitting under a shelter in Kuala Koh, Kelantan. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Orang Asli in Kuala Koh, Kelantan, used to be strong and healthy but the destruction of the environment and their subsistence have left them weak and sickly, said Center for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Dr Colin Nicholas.

He said their customary land area covered Kuala Koh, the Kelantan part of Taman Negara and the northern part near Pos Lebir but much of the land had been converted to logging, plantations and mining and they were asked to settle permanently in Kuala Koh.