By Zaki Salleh
Photo social media
LUMUT: Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local communities under the coalition Rakan Segari have expressed their concern regarding the abolition of part of the Segari Melintang Forest Reserve (HS Segari Melintang) here.
The coalition includes Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam, Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia, Pertubuhan Sahabat Ekologi Perak, and the Komuniti Nelayan Jeti Sungai Gelam.
The area in question spans approximately 287.8 hectares, covering several compartments (18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 31).
This area is part of the HS Segari Melintang that was abolished, totaling approximately 548.1 hectares, on May 11, 2023 (No Warta: 1681).
It is the only coastal hill forest remaining along the coastline of Teluk Mengkudu, Mukim Pengkalan Baharu in Manjung District.
Rakan Segari spokesperson, Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman, stated that coastal hill forests possess diverse biological characteristics compared to terrestrial forests, especially concerning commercially valuable tree species.
The sandy beach was once a nesting ground for turtles but has been threatened by human activities along the coastline.
“It is understood that the abolition of part of HS Segari Melintang involving several compartments along the coast of Teluk Mengkudu is for quarrying activities.
“If these quarrying activities are approved, it contradicts the recommendations of the Local Investigation Committee and the Draft Local Plan for Manjung District 2030 (Draft RTD Manjung 2030) that was held on May 10, 2016.
“The committee agreed with the objections raised and rejected new applications to maintain the existing forest area,” he stated in a statement.
Concerns include the impact on coastal fishing areas and the deterioration of seawater quality in the waters, as well as the loss of resting areas for fishermen at Pantai Teluk Akuan.
Rakan Segari also questioned the status of the 2021 proposal to declare Tanjung Batu Waterfall in Compartment 15 of HS Segari Melintang as a Protected Forest.
This is because it was found that the proposed area is also part of the HS Segari Melintang, which was abolished over approximately 260.3 hectares of the total 548.1 hectares.
In this regard, the coalition hopes that the relevant authorities will reassess the abolition of part of HS Segari Melintang involving several compartments along the coast of Teluk Mengkudu and consider reinstating it as a Permanent Forest Reserve.
