KUALA BERANG: Murky water at the Kelah Sanctuary near Tasik Kenyir has prompted an investigation by the Terengganu government.
State tourism, culture, environment and climate change committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said the issue is being thoroughly investigated, including claims linking it to logging activities around Tasik Kenyir.
He said any activity that can potentially affect the ecosystem of Tasik Kenyir would be closely monitored, and strict action would be taken if there are violations of conditions or regulations involving sensitive areas such as the Kelah Sanctuary.
“The state government views seriously the issue of water turbidity at the Kelah Sanctuary, which was first detected on Thursday and has drawn negative reactions from visitors.
“Mitigation measures will be implemented immediately to ensure that water quality and the habitat of the kelah fish, a key attraction at Tasik Kenyir, are preserved and not affected,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
In addition, Razali said water quality monitoring at the sanctuary had been intensified, and relevant updates would be shared with the public.
He said the state government remains committed to ensuring that tourism development at the lake is carried out in a sustainable, safe and balanced manner for future generations.
Meanwhile, Razali said the Federal Government, through the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah) would undertake repair works on the Melunak Trail, a forest trail linking the jetty or boat dock at Tasik Kenyir to the Gua Bewah area.
He said upgrading works on toilets, improvements to signage, entrance gate and repairs to solar-powered lighting would also be carried out at Gua Bewah, which is known as the site where prehistoric human remains were discovered in 2009.
