Ban on logging in Sungkai sensitive' areas
Copyright 2000 New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad
December 18, 2000
By Mimi Syed Yusof
IPOH, Sun. - The State Government will ban logging in "sensitive" highland and forest reserve areas in Sungkai following the recent mudflows which submerged eight villages on the banks of Sungai Sungkai.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said today the ban would also include "sensitive" and disaster-prone areas in other parts of the State.
He said although investigations were still under way to ascertain the cause of the mudflows in Sungkai, the move would be the first step in preventing a recurrence.
He said initial investigations by the State Forestry Department revealed that landslides had occurred in non-logging areas located 1,200 metres above sea-level.
The landslides had caused a chain reaction which triggered the mudflows in low-lying areas near the Bukit Tapah and Bukit Slim forest reserves.
Logging activities had been carried out in these areas.
From there, the torrent of mud flowed further down into the villages located downstream of Sungai Sungkai.
"Because of this, logging will not be allowed in areas about 900 metres above sea-level even though at present logging has not been carried in such high areas.
"According to regulations, logging is prohibited in areas located 1,200 metres and above," he said.
Last month, a torrent of mud gushed down into Perlok Lama, Perlok Baru, Kuala Alah, Batu 51, Buntung, Buluh Telur, Chegar Machang and Pekan Lama villages. However, there were no casualties.
The mudflows washed away seven bridges, two of which provided access to the villages, two for the transportation of logs and another three led to an Orang Asli settlement at Kampung Jernang.
Investigations by the department also revealed that heavy rains had created pools of water near catchment areas in high places.
These pools when full could burst, causing water to gush downstream bringing with it mud and debris from above.
An air surveillance study also indicated that timber remnants accumulated near the upstream of Sungai Sungkai had contributed to the mud-laden water.
On a report in a newspaper today which said the pools of water created by heavy rains were almost full and about to burst, Tajol Rosli said he would be meeting with the Forestry Department tomorrow to discuss ways to allow the water to flow down slowly.
He said he would also visit the area to find out the extent of the damage caused by these pools.
On logging, he said the companies which had been given the concession to log certain areas would be given new areas to carry out their activities.