Environs groups, villagers claim land clearing being done in Kledang Saiong reserve

Pix courtesy of Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam.

KUALA KANGSAR: Environmentalists and villagers near Salak Utara were shocked to find more than 200ha of land clearing allegedly carried out at the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said the villagers had told him about the clearing work a few weeks ago.

“A few villagers contacted me after hearing loud noises near their orchards. One of the farmers used a drone to check and was shocked (to see) heavy machinery conducting land clearing,” he told reporters at Salak Utara on Wednesday (Jan 4).

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Meor Razak also said there was no signboard placed at the site.

“We found an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for a forest plantation project at the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve under the Kuala Kangsar district. We urge the state government to put a stop to the project,” he added.

Meanwhile, Persatuan Aktivis Alam Sekitar president Hafizudin Nasarudin asked why land clearing was being carried out in a rich forest reserve.

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“As environmentalists, our stand is against monoculture farming. However, if the state believes there is a need for it, the farm should be set on state-owned land or a forest that is in poor condition.

“Based on our visit, we can see that the (affected) forest has an abundance of flora and fauna. Some of the villagers claimed that they have seen tigers, wild cats and monkeys.

“The project will not only impact the habitat of these animals but also the livelihood of two to three Orang Asli villages whose people still look for forest products to earn a living,” he said.

Farmer Mat Derus Ahmad Salleh, 61, from Kampung Bukit Lada in Sayong, hoped the project would be halted.

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“I started my orchard about five years ago and rely on the nearby river for its water supply.

“Unfortunately, ever since the clearing was done, the river has turned murky and affected the quality of my fruits.

"Wild animals have also been raiding our farm as they have lost their habitat," he said.

“I believe (this project) will bring more harm than good.

"Chopping down valuable trees and replacing them with monoculture farming will only make more animals come into our farms and villages,” he added.

At a separate press conference, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the cleared area, near Kampung Kepala Bendang, was not in the forest reserve as claimed.

Saarani said an investigation by the Kuala Kangsar Forestry Department found that the area was privately owned and the land was being cleared by the owner for agricultural purposes.

"Based on the coordinates, it is some 1.5km from the forest reserve.

"The department will monitor the situation," he said.

As for the impact of the land clearing activity on locals and the environment, Saarani said he would instruct the state Environment Department to check.