Peka claims logging now shifting to eco-tourism area in Merapoh
KUANTAN: The Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) claims that logging activities in the Merapoh Forest, Lipis have now shifted to a new site about 10km away from the old logging area in Block 1.
Its president, Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said a visit to the area by Peka early this week found work to clear a logging road for this purpose was being carried out.
"We found several heavy vehicles clearing a route to the area. According to the locals, the clearing work was a bit slow in the last one or two days.
"The slow progress could be due to the rainy weather and the enforcement actions of the Department of Environment (DOE) in Block 1. However, we expect logging activities in the area will take place at any time soon after the logging road is ready," she told Bernama today.
Based on a notice put up in the area, the logging activities in the area would involve a 668.79 ha area belonging to the Pahang Agriculture Development Authority in the mukim of Batu Yon using a licence which is due to expire on Dec 14.
In this regards, Shariffa Sabrina said she hoped that the authorities including DOE and the Pahang Forestry Department would take immediate action to prevent the logging activity to avoid more serious destruction to the environment in the area.
Prior to this, the logging activity in the Merapoh Forest received the attention of the federal government when Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar directed the logging activities to be stopped immediately.
Logging in the area was also opposed by local residents, international tourists who had visited the area and non-governmental organisations fearing the environment, water catchment area and eco-tourism activities in the area might be affected.
It was also feared that the livelihood of the youths in Merapoh, who act as tourist guides to the limestone caves in the area including the Hari Malaysia Cave, too might be affected.
On Monday, Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob also announced that the state government was prepared to stop the logging activity and developing the forest in Merapoh after taking into account its importance as a water catchment area. — Bernama