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Forest destruction threatens water supply

  • Publication Date | August 17, 2016
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Deforestation, Forest Conversions, Logging, Plantations, Water, Wildlife
  • Tags | farmers, Floods, Gunung Inas, Kedah, MADA, Pedu Dam, watersheds
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SAM President S.M. Mohamed Idris at a press conference today | SAM
SAM President S.M. Mohamed Idris at a press conference today | SAM

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges the Kedah State government to immediately stop the destruction of forests and logging activities in the State to protect these natural resources and ensure sufficient water supply.

The 2015 Annual Report of the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia states that the forested land area in Kedah covers 342,431 hectares or 36.33% of the total land area of ​​the state. This indicates that the forest cover in the state is at an alarming rate and if further deforestation is not curbed it will lead to a more precarious situation.

Affected water catchment areas | SAM

Director of the Forestry Department of Kedah in a press statement in February 2016 mentioned that more than 2,000 hectares of forest in the state’s forest reserves had been encroached and cleared for development of new agricultural areas. 

Apart from reducing the total forest area which threatens biodiversity and wildlife, deforestation also affects water resources and contributes to soil erosion, sedimentation, slope failure and landslides. 

SAM is disappointed that although the state’s water crisis is currently acute, but until now no effective measures and planning has been made by the government to address the issue.

In addition to threatening the environment and causing flash floods in several areas of the state, logging and land clearing has also affected the lives of thousands of water users including paddy farmers. 

In recent years frequent flash floods occur at villages nearby logging areas, causing heavy losses to the residents whose belongings, properties and crops have been damaged.  

SAM’s survey found that deforestation for plantation development and logging has seriously affected watersheds and villagers’ water supply has been contaminated with mud. Villagers in Kampung Ulu Mahang in Kulim and Kampung Teluk Teduri in Baling are concerned that the community water supply sourced from the forest near their village will be affected by the destruction of the forests here.

SAM’s survey also found that the hills that were cleared have been left idle for long, triggering soil erosion when it rains, subsequently disrupting drainage systems.  Rivers in the state have also become shallow due to sedimentation. 

Six districts adversely affected by forest destruction and logging in Kedah are Kulim, Baling, Sik, Langkawi, Padang Terap and Kubang Pasu. The water level at the Pedu Dam had dropped drastically during the drought earlier this year. We are concerned that if this persists, it could affect rice production and thus the livelihood of MADA farmers. 

In addition to calling for an immediate halt of deforestation and logging activities, SAM also objects to any new projects planned, including the proposed Naok Dam in Pendang and plantation and mining projects in ​​Gunung Inas Forest Reserve in Kulim. 

These projects will not only destroy the environment and watersheds but also affect agricultural production, life and livelihoods of people in three states, namely Kedah, Perlis and Penang. 

Construction of new dams is not a solution to water problems in the State. Forests and natural resources should be restored, protected and conserved for future generations.

S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS

President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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