Sand mining driving away birds and wildlife in Malaysian wetlands

The Star 20 Jul 10;

PETALING JAYA: Poor enforcement and management of sand mining activities in Paya Indah Wetlands, Dengkil, have caused many species of birds and wildlife to leave the area due to the noise and dust, said an environmental group.

Landskap Malaysia said in an unsigned statement distributed during a press conference that the sand excavation works had breached the buffer zone, polluting the water and threatening the aquatic habitat.

It said the activities were also causing the water level in the lake to drop due to sedimentation.

“We urge Selangor to stop the sand mining immediately. Don’t take this lightly or we may stand to lose the wetlands.

“Ecological experts need to be sent to assess the damage before preparing a detailed report on how to rehabilitate the area,” board of governors member Datuk Yahya A. Jalil told reporters at Landskap Malaysia’s office here yesterday.

He also urged political leaders and government department heads to see for themselves what was actually going on in the wetlands.

“The laws should be reviewed to impose stricter punishment on the sand miners,” he said, claiming that “complaints had so far fallen on deaf ears”.

Another board member, Datuk Ismail Ngah, said non-governmental organisations should be consulted before approval for the sand mining activities was given.

He pointed out that those who prepared the Environmental Management Plan for the sand mining activities should be responsible in executing and managing these.

Ismail said Landskap Malaysia would also team up with other NGOs and environmentalists to conduct its own investigation.