Dept again urged to explain the logging
Published on: Thursday, August 21, 2014
Kota Kinabalu: Sri Tanjong Assemblyman Chan Foong Hin claims the Forestry Department (SFD) provided a self-contradicting explanation on logging activities in the Andrassy Forest Reserve in Tawau Hills Park. Chan urged the State Government, especially SFD, to respond to the query that if left unattended, it would tarnish the authorities' image.Repeating his call for a joint site visit, the Vice Chairman of DAP Sabah said it has never been his intention to project a negative image on the ongoing first geothermal power plant project there.ADVERTISEMENT Nevertheless, he said, the authorities must respond to the complaints from the people pertaining to tonnes of logs being transported out of the first class forest reserve. He said in September last year, the estimated site clearance (for the geothermal power plant) was to be about 150 hectares. Given the average yield of virgin jungle at 50m3/ha the maximum logs felled should be 7500m3.However, Chan said based on the official answer from State Assembly, 6,563 logs or 20,049.55 cubic metres were felled from June 2013 to March 2014, which "has exceeded the possible maximum logs output for 150 hectares."Both answers were given by the same department. So which figure we should take? ADVERTISEMENT Figures of logs felled and size of logging area should be accounted for," said Chan."Some of my friends in the timber industry told me that one trip of logging truck easily can carry 30m3. Based on a rough estimation that 10 trips logs per day from the site, only 25 days needed to carry away all 7500 cubic metre from 150 hectares. So why are the logging activities carried out from June last year until now?" Chan asked.
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A satellite photo of the logging area has been captured by Google Maps. It is clearly to see that a circle of logging road has been developed. "In order to access to the geothermal point for drilling, I think one or two entry routes should be enough. Only road access with a maximum width of 15 meter allowed in logging area under Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) practice which has been introduced by (Dept Director Datuk Sam) Mannan since year 2010. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"So why did the Forestry Director approve such a massive road opening?" he said. "Tawau people's concerns are about the possible water catchment encroachment and the status of the geothermal power plant project."