IPOH: Several environmental NGOs urge the state government to protect and conserve the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (KSAS) in Segari, Manjung.
The NGOs, under the Rakan Segari coalition, have made repeated calls for effective monitoring of activities that could threaten the natural ecosystem and environmental well-being.
Rakan Segari representative Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman expressed concern over several ongoing and proposed activities that do not align with state or federal policies and regulations.
Meor Razak, who is Sahabat Alam Malaysia's field officer, warns that threats to the ecosystem will have immediate and long-term impacts on the socio-economic conditions of the local community, particularly fishermen and the tourism sector at Teluk Senangin Beach.
“Among the activities and projects already underway or planned are sand mining at Pasir Panjang Beach, which threatens turtle landing sites, fishing areas, and wildlife habitats,” he says in a statement on Friday (Aug 16).
“Logging for quarrying purposes in an approximately 122ha area of compartments 19, 20, and 21 of the Segari Melintang Forest Reserve threatens coastal and fishing areas,” he adds.
Meor Razak notes that aquaculture activities in part of compartment 34 of the forest reserve could cause water pollution in Sungai Gelam and that a proposed iron and steel factory at Pasir Panjang beach would also threaten turtle landing and fishing areas.
He pointed out that based on the National Physical Plan (RFN), all turtle landing areas in Peninsular Malaysia are categorised as Level 1 and 2, which cannot be developed for industry, mining, or quarrying, but only low-impact eco-tourism, educational, and research activities can be conducted.
“The area from Pasir Panjang Recreational Forest to Pasir Pandak Beach, Tanjung Hantu, frequently records turtle landings based on nests and egg collection by turtle egg collectors appointed by the Fisheries Department.
"Since sand mining activities began at Pasir Panjang, turtle landings have decreased,” he adds.
Meor Razak highlighted that logging activities for quarrying contradict the resolution of the 70th National Land Council Meeting, where all state governments were urged to control or, if possible, avoid approving mining or quarrying activities in permanent forest reserves.
“Therefore, we hope the state government will consider stopping and no longer allow any activities or land-use conversions that can impact KSAS Level 1 and 2 areas, especially turtle landing areas. We hope these areas can be gazetted as protected zones.
“We also hope the state government and relevant authorities will comply with and adopt the development plan based on the RFN and related policies and regulations,” he adds.
