LOGGING in Ulu Muda, Kedah could pollute the Tasik Muda reservoir that supplies water to Kedah and Penang, environmental watchdog Rimba Watch said.

Rimba Watch said in a statement that it had discovered this through satellite imagery of the area.

The Tasik Muda pool is a key reservoir in Kedah that regulates the flow of water to the Sungai Dua intake which supplies 80% of Penang’s water.

“Our investigation looks at satellite imagery showing the Ulu Muda river flowing through logging areas and then depositing mud into the reservoir.

“We raise our concerns that this logging is certified as ‘sustainable’ and call on the Kedah government to investigate and clarify this issue,” Rimba Watch said.

Rimba Watch noted that the protection of the reservoir has been a contentious topic in the Kedah and Penang water dispute. 

Penang has for a long time called for a halt to logging in the Ulu Muda area but Kedah has argued that it would lose state revenue if it stopped logging.

The Kedah government had in 2018 cancelled logging permits in Ulu Muda.

However Rimba Watch said satellite imagery showed that logging re-commenced in Ulu Muda beginning in 2021, with the activities accelerating in 2022 and 2023. 

“Imagery further shows that the lake (reservoir) began to be potentially tainted through mud and other sediments deposited from the Ulu Muda river in early 2023. 

“The satellite image of Tasik Muda in March 2023 shows a relatively undisturbed river and reservoir, but in October and December 2023 the river was visibly muddied, and was depositing this mud into the reservoir.”

Rimba Watch said logging in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve could contaminate the reservoir and impact 80% of Penang’s water supply.

The watchdog also questioned the sustainability certification of the logging in the area, and urged the state government to take steps to ensure the water supply remains unaffected.

“The Kedah authorities must explain why logging activities are taking place in close proximity to the Muda reservoir, and investigate impacts to the reservoir’s environment through these activities.

“It must also halt logging activities within Ulu Muda Reserve and establish the entirety of the forest complex as a protected area to protect the Muda reservoir,” said Rimba Watch. – January 19, 2024.