GUA MUSANG, June 27 (Bernama) – Only 20 per cent of forest plantation projects that have received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Department of Environment (DOE) since 2020 have been operational, while the other 80 per cent have yet to begin operations, said Kelantan DOE director Wan Aminordin Wan Kamarudin.
He said the EIA report involves a socio-economic study of the population around the activity area, hence developers need to make a report first before starting operations.
“Any development activity carried out in Kelantan forest reserves exceeding 100 hectares must submit an EIA report,” he said.
Wan Aminordin said he was concerned about the local community, especially the Orang Asli, because they are among the direct recipients of the impacts from the development being carried out.
“This EIA report is important to identify the affected areas, including the impact on water tables, the safety of residents, gardens, and other community-related matters following development, whether it is forest plantations or mining,” he told reporters at the 4Xplore Explore Nature: Our Legacy on Earth with Environmental Friends programme in conjunction with the Kelantan state-level World Environment Day 2025 celebration at Pos Pulat, here.
Wan Aminordin said the EIA study report involved comments and views from various agencies, including the Forestry Department, Land and Mines Office (PTG) and the State Health Department.
“We set conditions that must be adhered to, including that developers must provide control measures such as sediment trap ponds and install infrastructure that can prevent erosion in the development area,” he said.
He also said last year, the DOE had issued a prohibition order on a mining company in Gua Musang and ordered it to cease operations immediately.
On Dec 18 last year, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability issued a stop work order to two companies suspected of causing pollution in Sungai Kelaik, Pos Blau, based on DOE’s investigation into the two companies’ compliance with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).
Sungai Kelaik water was previously reported to be contaminated with waste from iron ore mining plants to the point of turning the river red.
— BERNAMA