Mangrove forest in Kilim Geo Park under threat

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Garbage floating in Kilim River in the Kilim Geo Park
Garbage floating in Kilim River in the Kilim Geo Park

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges the Forestry Department of Kedah and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) to pay serious attention and take immediate steps to protect and save the mangrove forest in the Kilim Geo Park in Langkawi Island from devastation.

The Kilim Geo Park covering an area of ​​100 square kilometres is a nature reserve with amazing flora and fauna including limestone, fossils, caves, lagoons, beaches and panoramic sea views.

However, a survey conducted by SAM found that the natural environment in this area, for example the mangroves, is being threatened by tourist boat activities and pollution problem due to littering. 

The use of engines above 200-horsepower (hp) through the Kilim River by the boatmen is a concern because it threatens the area’s natural environment and disturbs the peace of the natural surroundings due to the loud noise. 

Boats being driven fast in the area

SAM found that the tour boatmen speed through the river although there is signage at the riverbank cautioning them to slow down the boat. The speed of the boat causes huge waves to lash the mangrove forests along the river, leading to our nature’s treasure to be battered and the mangrove trees uprooted.

Uprooted mangrove trees from speeding boats

SAM proposes that the tour boat operators are only allowed to use 60hp or less boat engines when operating in this area. This measure can reduce adverse effects on the environment here. 

The mangrove forest is also polluted with garbage, plastics, empty bottles and other waste can be found floating here. SAM believes that if the problem is not curtailed it will contaminate not only the Kilim River, but also threaten marine life found in these waters. 

SAM calls on the Kedah Forestry Department, LADA and the Langkawi Municipal Council (MPL) to be more stringent in enforcing the law in order to curb this situation. Action must be taken against those who pollute the natural environment of the area. 

SAM is dismayed that the state of the environment in Pulau Langkawi in the recent years has declined due to the implementation of development projects that do not seriously consider the environment, cleanliness of the river, the sea and the importance of forests.

S.M.MOHAMED IDRIS

President

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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.
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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
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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.
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia - Member of Friends of the Earth International

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

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