THE proposed reopening of logging concessions in Ulu Muda, Kedah, announced by Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, will lead to more deforestation in the most important water catchment areas in the northern area in future.

Penang Water Supply Authority chief executive officer Jaseni Maidinsa said only 16% of the 160,000ha rainforest in the forest reserve were classified as water catchments and logging activities in the area would endanger water supply to Perlis, Kedah and Penang.

“All three states are heavily dependent on rainfall in the Ulu Muda rainforest. About 70% of Perlis’ and 96% of Kedah’s raw water come from Ulu Muda. In Penang, we draw more than 80% of its raw water daily from Sg Muda and the catchment area for Sg Muda is Ulu Muda,” he said in a statement in George Town today.

He said if the plan to open logging concessions takes place, it would not only undermine Ulu Muda’s role as a water catchment area but also impact the climate and the capacity of the three dams in Kedah – Muda, Beris, and Pedu.

The Muda dam is currently at 14.8% capacity, Beris at 52.3% and Pedu at 37.7%, which is comparatively to the corresponding day in 2018 and 2019, at 62.5%, 76.4% and 78.5% respectively.

According to Jaseni, the unusually low dam capacity reflected the effects of climatic changes in Kedah, possibly due to lower rainfall than normal in Ulu Muda during June last year to mid-April.

He added that with the lack of rain and uncertainty following climatic changes, it would be illogical for the Kedah government to agree and support deforestation that would undermine Ulu Muda’s role as the most important water catchment area in northern Malaysia.

“Kedah’s proposal to reopen logging concessions or allow logging companies to harvest ‘forest produce’ in Ulu Muda must be stopped. The risks are too high and the consequences may be quite severe,” he said.

On May 27, Sanusi said the state government was mulling opening timber concessions to avoid being sued by the logging companies to the tune of RM1.5 billion.

He said through the proposal, Kedah would consider other logging areas outside the catchment area by taking into account suitable measures in line with the law and standard operating procedures, and does not adversely affect the environment. – Bernama, May 29, 2020.