ENVIRONMENTAL groups have revealed that a massive logging project is underway near the protected Upper Baram Forest Area (Ubfa) in northern Sarawak, close to the Penan community settlement of Ba Data Bila.

Keruan, Save Rivers, Bruno Manser Fonds, and The Borneo Project said new satellite imagery showed significant road expansion in the area, contradicting the recent claims of the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS).

Analysis of the images over the last three months indicated a rapidly developing network of roads near Ba Data Bila, approaching the core protection zone of the Ubfa.

“The community representatives of the Ubfa continue to express concern and confusion about how logging could be allowed in this important conservation zone. We have been asking FDS for accountability and an open conversation, but we have not heard back,” said Save Rivers’ managing director, Celine Lim.

Bruno Manser Fonds executive director Lukas Straumann highlighted the ecological significance of the area, saying, “This area contains some of Sarawak’s last primary forests. The Sarawak government has the responsibility to save this global biodiversity hotspot from destruction.”

In July, FDS director Hamden Mohamad dismissed concerns over large-scale logging in the area as baseless. He said locals welcomed the development, including roads and housing materials provided by logging company Borneoland Timber Resource Sdn Bhd, which holds the forest concession. Additionally, some villagers reportedly agreed to receive financial compensation from the company.

But a petition from Ba Data Bila villagers and nearby communities opposing the logging operation has gathered more than 500 signatures.

Keruan chief executive officer Komeok Joe said the local people should benefit from development without sacrificing their forest and heritage. 

“We NGOs have brought development such as water pipes, roofing, bridges, education, and health services to communities. But we insist that people get development without having to sell off their forest and their heritage. People want a road, but shouldn’t need to see their forest destroyed in return. It is the government’s duty to provide basic infrastructure, not the company’s,” he said.

The environmental groups have asked for a meeting with the Sarawak premier. They hope to to submit their petition at the Forest Landscape Restoration conference in Kuching next week.

Previously, Samling Plywood held a logging concession in the area, which faced strong opposition from communities before the licence expired in 2023. Borneoland Timber Resources now holds the concession. 

The groups said that all logging concessions in Sarawak must have sustainable forest management certification, which the new concession lacks. – August 2, 2024.