AN aerial inspection using drones found no logging activities in the Lentang forest reserve and government and alienated lands near Jalan Bentong-Karak and the Sri Telemong Bridge in Bentong.

The Pahang Forestry Department, in a statement yesterday, said checks at both locations found that wood waste scattered on the road and bridge, which was linked to logging, was actually debris from a water surge incident in Sungai Temeriak, Sungai Kerau and Sungai Timbul on December 18.

“Checks found that the water surge incident in the two locations started in the Lentang forest Reserve due to continuous heavy rain for three days from December 16 until the major floods in Bentong on December 18, supported by the Bentong Irrigation and Drainage Department’s rainfall distribution data, which recorded an average reading of 155mm on December 18 which is categorised as extremely heavy.

“The aerial survey also found many traces of landslides in the hilly areas in the Lentang forest reserve, government land and alienated land carrying debris consisting of soils, rocks and trees which were pushed into Sungai Temeriak, Sungai Kerau and Sungai Timbul by strong water currents,” the statement read.

The statement added the field inspection also found wood waste and tree trunks of various species which gave the impression that strong river currents had carried debris from outside the forest reserve.

The department said water surge incidents at two locations had nothing to do with logging activities on Sungai Gapoi government land as claimed by some parties, because it was located 16km away from the Sri Telemong Bridge and 23km from Jalan Bentong-Karak.

Checks at the location yesterday found the water in Sungai Gapoi was clear with no trace of a water surge.

The department said the Lentang forest reserve was gazetted as a water catchment area in 2002, and a 30ha area in the forest was a high conservation value forest (HCVF) plot, meaning it is protected. Logging is prohibited in the forest.

On the wood waste, the department said further action would be taken to ensure the immediate removal of the debris.

The department said further checks will be conducted with helicopters early next month  to get a clearer picture of the issue and the surge water location in the Lentang forest reserve. – Bernama, December 30, 2021.