By Zaki Salleh
Photo: Fb Dailami Zahari.
KUALA KANGSAR: Residents of Kampung Rambai Tujuh and nearby villages are in fear due to the presence of wild animals that are believed to be tigers, in the area.
This follows an incident where a calf was attacked by a wild animal. This was concluded based on bite marks found on the carcass of the livestock.
Residents claim that the emergence of these wild animals is a result of extensive logging activities in the Kledang Saiong Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK).
Chairman of the Kampung Rambai Tujuh Action Committee, Dailami Zahari, said the incident occurred last night involving livestock owned by village residents.
He said the incident would not have occurred if the authorities had taken heed of the voices of the villagers who previously opposed deforestation activities.
“The extensive logging activities in HSK Kledang Saiong have now led to wild animals entering the villagers’ farming areas.
“Now I want to ask the authorities, the Perak state government, to open their eyes to the consequences of excessive logging approved in HSK Kledang Saiong.
“Previously, we protested, including sending memorandums to the Menteri Besar Perak and the State Palace, but there was no response,” he told Ipoh Echo / Peraktastic.”
A video lasting 18 seconds showing the carcass of a calf with bite marks on the neck and abdomen was shared on Joe Aziz’s Facebook page.
It is understood that the incident has been reported by villagers to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
Traps have been set up by Perhilitan in the area, and monitoring is also being conducted.
On September 12th of last year, residents of Kampung Rambai Tujuh and nearby villages held a meeting to protest against the implementation of a forest plantation project in HSK Kledang Saiong covering an area of 4280 hectares.
Also present at the meeting were Tebing Tinggi State Assemblyman (ADUN), Dr. Abdul Aziz Bari, and the special officer of the Bukit Chandan ADUN.
During the meeting, the villagers opposed the project because it posed risks of causing major floods, water source depletion, landslides, conflicts with wildlife, and ecosystem disturbances.
The residents were deeply concerned that if the project continued, they would be exposed to flood disasters.
Furthermore, the main river flowing into the village area originates from the logging project area.
