Malaysia: Deforestation in Kg Dew destroys firefly habitat

The Star 23 Sep 17;

A mangrove forest famous for fireflies in Kampung Dew, near Taiping has been devastated by the felling of thousands of trees.

Environmental organisation Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said in a statement that it had visited the area recently and found trees like the Nipah palms (Nypa Fruticans) and Berembang (Sonneratia Caseolaris), which are habitat for fireflies, had been cut down.

SAM president S.M. Mohamed Idris said the felling of the trees and destruction of forest in the Sepetang River reserve had a negative impact on the river’s ecosystem, especially the fireflies and aquatic life.

“These activities can also cause erosion on the river bank as the trees are natural fortifier.

“We received complaints that the encroachment and destructive activities at the Sepetang River reserve still occurred despite the fact that the Kerian District Land Office had conducted surveillance and issued a warning,” he added.

Mohamed Idris also claimed that a proposal to establish a Permanent Forest Reserve at the area, to be known as Hutan Simpan Kelip-Kelip (HS Kelip-Kelip) covering 152.98ha was agreed in principle by the state on Nov 6, 2013.

“It has yet to be gazetted.

“The question is what are the barriers and constraints hindering the proposed forest reserve from being gazetted,” he said.

“We hope the state will expedite gazetting the mangrove forest along the Sepetang River as a Permanent Forest Reserve so that the natural habitat along this river is protected and well managed,” he added.

Perak Land and Mines Department director Rumaizi Baharin said about 2ha of land in Kampung Dew, Kuala Sepetang, was affected.

He said they had identified one company responsible for clearing the state-owned area.

“We are still investigating the matter. We believe the activities began during the long holiday stretch in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha and National Day.

“After completing the investigation, we will submit the papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office to decide what actions to be taken.

“It’s either we compound them or take legal action,” he added.

It is learnt that the company had cleared the land to build an irrigation system to allow water to be properly released from its farms.

The company is also believed to have planned to build bunds to prevent flood in the surrounding area during high tides.

On the gazetting of the area as a Permanent Forest Reserve, Rumaizi said it was still being processed.

“It’s already in the final stages. Once the area has been surveyed and the necessary documents issued, we can gazette it,” he said.