RECENTLY, Sinar Harian released a special report regarding the status of Gunung Lanno, Perak. Gunung Lanno is more than 330 million years old and at more than 370m.

However, this mountain will disappear from the face of the Earth due to quarry activities by greedy capitalist.

Gunung Lanno, said to be the largest mountain in the Kinta Valley, has more than 30 limestone caves

One by one, the caves are being destroyed and turned into limestone quarry factories. According to the infographic made by Sinar Harian, currently nine mountains that have been demolished by these capitalists and if this situation is not rectified, it will cause more damage around the area.

Geographical and environmental conditions

As dredging activities occur on a large scale, the inner structure of the cave will be damaged and could lead to the collapse of the cave. This could cost us our historical value such as endemic species, fossils, and prehistoric paintings.

Although the quarry activities lead to economic revenues from the sale of mineral products, yet it will affect the environment in the long term, such as, groundwater conditions, changes in water drainage and occurrence of sinkhole formation.

Environment and pollution

If this continues to happen, there will be massive floods because of the current geographical situation. Residents in Ipoh will experience water pollution as well as hazardous water quality, which will affect their health and livelihood.

Nearby lakes, such as Tasik Cermin in Gopeng, will also be affected by rockslides due to the uncontrolled quarry activities. 

Quarrying and stone processing also the main source of air pollution via gases released from the digging machines besides the huge clouds of dust containing heavy metals that will affect the life of every living organism in the area.

Local economy and settlement

As geographical and environmental factors are squeezing the local area, local economic agenda could run smoothly and could cause the economy of the locals to plunder as a result greedy capitalist as well irresponsible local authorities. 

As the area is deemed uninhabitable, voters in the specific constituency decline and this becomes a state constituency area that bears no importance to local political parties and ruling state government.

Conclusion

The mountains become pegs as stabilisers to the Earth. When explored excessively for development, earthquakes will occur more severely as tectonic plates drift and cause instability to the Earth’s crust and will lead to more severe natural disasters in the future.

With the misuse of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by those exploiting the caves, it is not impossible for corruption to occur in approving the project and bypassing several environmental laws. 

Mountain areas like Gunung Lanno should be gazetted as the protected areas under the federal agency, Perhilitan.

Therefore, BNYV strongly opposes any quarrying in and around Gunung Lanno and other mountains in the valley. 

BNYV demands that the Perak government, especially N.05 Selama assemblyman, Mohd Akmal Kamarudin, who is also the chairman of the Health, Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee to shut down the quarries. – February 9, 2021.

* Muhammad Shaqib Shahrilnizam is the exco of Barisan Nasional Youth Volunteers (BNYV).

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.