Orang Asli In Kuala Koh Face Serious River Pollution From Land Clearing Activities

GUA MUSANG, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- More than 200 Orang Asli settlers in Pos Kuala Koh, near the Kuala Koh National Park, here, claim they are facing a serious river pollution problem that has affected their daily lives.

This followed the state government's action of approving land near their settlement for a company to carry out farming activities on the land, causing the river water to be muddy while the land clearing has also destroyed the water catchment area uphill, from where the settlers' water supply comes from.

Pos Kuala Koh tok batin, Hamdan Keladi said the problem had been brought to the attention of various parties including federal and state government leaders but so far, their had been no action.

He feared that if no remedial action was taken, the settlers would face more serious land erosion and river pollution problems while they depended on the river for their daily water supply.

"We really hope the government would take immediate action to prevent large-scale land clearing in the area in order to protect the environment," he told Bernama during a visit to the land clearing site.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment's Gua Musang branch head, Rohimi Harun who was present during the visit, said it viewed seriously the environmental problem that had affected the lives of the Orang Asli settlers in the area.

He said investigation was being carried out to collect information and evidence of violation of environmental regulations before legal action could be taken against the party responsible.

"The company clearing the land for farming activities had made an application to the department and promised to adhere to the conditions and environmental regulations.

"He have come here to investigate after receiving public complaints on the problem. It appears that the conditions set have been ignored by the company," he added.

-- BERNAMA

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Orang Asli In Kuala Koh Face Serious River Pollution From Land Clearing Activities