An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report has been approved for a quarrying project in Gunung Jerai, Kedah.

Despite the objections of 12 groups and communities affected by the operations, work is set to begin with the blessings of the state government.

"We were informed very recently that the EIA report was approved by the state Department of Environment (DOE) but we rejected it.

The whole project should be rejected," said environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)'s education officer Anuar Mahmud when contacted.

The assent to the project was surprising in view of the fact that a preliminary EIA appeared to support the concerns of the organisations and communities.

Residents had long objected to the project, located in Compartment 16 the Gunung Jerai Forest Reserve near Yan, as they believed it had caused unprecedented flooding in the surrounding villages two years ago.

Meanwhile, Anuar said the state DOE had not given a definite response to queries on the matter.

"Since we found out that the EIA was approved, we decided to go ahead with the Save Gunung Jerai campaign," he added.

The campaign, launched earlier this week, involves the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), the Gunung Jerai-based Action Committee Against the Singkir Quarry, among other bodies and residents associations.

Royal intervention sought

In a press statement on the issue, the campaign's honorary secretary Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid urged new Kedah Menteri Besar Mahdzir Khalid to cancel the project.

According to Azmi, the state government - in a meeting on Sept 12, 2001 - released Compartment 16 to Syarikat Kemelong & Sankojaya Construction despite this contravening the Yan District Council Structure Plan 1995-2020.

The plan stipulates that Gunung Jerai is to be set aside as a forest reserve area, while any plans for its development, including for purposes of eco-tourism, have to ensure the preservation of its natural environment, eco-system, and water catchment areas.

Azmi also urged Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah to look into the destruction of Gunung Jerai caused by the quarry and the adverse effects on the residents.

"We wish and hope that the Sultan would kindly look into this problem since the residents are desperate," he said.