Follow Thailand, ban logging, urges activist

 

Wood waste washed down by the recent floods in Pahang. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: An environmental activist has urged the government to ban commercial logging to prevent devastating floods.

Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said Malaysia should follow Thailand’s example, which banned commercial logging in 1989 following floods that killed more than 350 people.

The ban followed an order by the Thai king.

“We should do the same. Thailand is very serious about taking care of its forests. Whoever is caught logging in Thailand, it’s shoot to kill,” she told FMT.

Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil.

Shariffa Sabrina, who heads the Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka), was adding her voice to comments linking the recent floods to logging.

There have been claims that excessive logging activities contributed to the massive floods that inundated up to nine states. Several state governments have rejected the allegations.

She acknowledged that a ban on commercial logging would result in revenue losses, but said political leaders who would complain about this were short-sighted.

“Logging makes millions, but once all the trees are gone, who will want to come to our country?” she said.

“Our rainforests are among the most beautiful in the world. Once the forests are gone, there will be no more eco-tourism, which is long-term and sustainable.”

Shariffa Sabrina owns a chain of eco-friendly resorts.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman said Malaysia needed to review logging policies urgently in light of the effects of climate change.

Meenakshi Raman.

She said federal government grants and access to international funds were crucial in protecting and rehabilitating the country’s forests.

A 2013 analysis of high resolution forest maps found that Malaysia had the world’s highest rate of forest loss between 2000 and 2012. The country’s total forest loss during the period amounted to 14.4% of its forest cover in 2000, or an area of 47,278 sq km.

“What the states have not taken into account enough is the impact of climate change in relation to not only logging but also overall development and planning, which is very ad hoc and piecemeal,” Meenakshi said.

“We can’t just pinpoint logging for causing the floods. It’s overall development, which also converts forests for purposes such as mining and plantations.” - FMT