LETTER | Conserve environmentally sensitive areas in Segari

LETTER | We, from several NGOs and local communities under the Rakan Segari coalition, reiterate our call to the Perak state government to protect and conserve the environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) in the Segari region, Manjung district, Perak from activities that could threaten the natural ecosystem and environmental well-being.

This call is expressed because of concerns over several activities/projects that are being carried out and will be carried out that are not in line with policies and regulations, including development plans at both the state and federal levels.

Threats to the natural ecosystem and environmental well-being will also have immediate and long-term impacts on the socio-economic conditions of the local community, especially the fisherfolk and the tourism sector in Pantai Teluk Senangin.

Among the activities/projects being carried out and planned are:

i. Sand extraction at Pantai Pasir Panjang, categorised as an ESA (threatening turtle landing areas, fishing zones, and disturbing wildlife habitats);

ii. Clear-cut logging for quarrying purposes over approximately 122ha in parts of Compartments 19, 20, and 21 of the Segari Melintang Forest Reserve (threatening coastal areas and fishing zones, and destroying natural coastal hill forests);

iii. Aquaculture in part of Compartment 34, Segari Melintang Forest Reserve (polluting the Gelam River);

iv. Proposed iron and steel plant at Pantai Pasir Panjang (threatening turtle landing areas and fishing zones);

v. Proposed oil and petrochemical processing plant at Tanjung Hantu (threatening fishing zones, the tourism sector, and destroying natural coastal hill forests); and

vi. Proposed Baitul Hilal observation complex next to Baitul Hilal at Pantai Pasir Panjang (threatening turtle landing areas).

Based on the National Physical Plan document, all turtle landing areas in Peninsular Malaysia are categorised as ESA Levels 1 and 2, where no activities and land use changes such as industrial, mining, and quarrying are allowed, except for low-impact eco-tourism, education, and research activities.

It should be clarified that the coastal area from Hutan Lipur Pasir Panjang to Pantai Pasir Pandak, Tanjung Hantu, is frequently recorded as a turtle landing area based on the discovery of nests and egg collection by turtle egg collectors appointed by the Fisheries Department.

It is known that the coastal area and sandbanks at the river mouth are the areas where most nests are found.

Decreased turtle landings

According to sources, the frequency of turtle landings has drastically decreased based on the discovery of nests and egg collection since sand extraction activities began at Pantai Pasir Panjang. It is reported that only five nests were recorded this year in the area.

Meanwhile, logging activities for quarrying purposes over approximately 122ha in parts of Compartments 19, 20, and 21 contradict the resolution of the 70th National Land Council meeting, which urges all state governments to take initiatives to control or preferably avoid approving mining and quarrying activities in Permanent Forest Reserves.

Furthermore, based on feedback from the Draft Manjung District Local Plan 2030, the Local Investigation Committee agreed with the objections and rejected new applications to maintain the existing forest areas.

Thus, we hope the state government will consider stopping and not allowing any activities and land use changes that pose a risk of impact in ESA Levels 1 and 2, especially turtle landing areas, and gazette the turtle landing areas as protected areas.

We also hope the state government and relevant authorities will follow and adopt development plans based on the National Physical Plan, related policies, and regulations.

Signed by:

1. Sahabat Alam Malaysia

2. Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam

3. Malaysian Primatological Society

4. Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia

5. Pertubuhan Sahabat Ekologi Perak

6. Pengusaha Chalet Teluk Senangin

7. Komuniti Nelayan Jeti Sungai Gelam

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.