Nearly 4 in 5 surveyed reject Kelantan forest reserve tin mine - EIA

Most of the respondents surveyed about a tin mining project in the Perias Reserve Forest in Kelantan oppose it.

About 79.3 percent of respondents said the project’s activities would worsen existing issues, according to the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The report said that the project is also located on what the local Orang Asli consider “tanah adat,” or customary land.

They are in the process of getting the land gazetted, it added.

“The minority of 6.5 percent (of) respondents that agreed to the project feel that the project would bring employment opportunities,” it said.

Most respondents poor, under-educated

The survey went door-to-door in 11 villages, and 92 individuals responded.

Around 96.7 percent of those questioned earned below RM1,500 while 83.7 percent have only a primary school education. Of those surveyed, 69.2 percent were farmers.

The report noted that several Orang Asli settlements are located within a 5km radius of the proposed project site.

According to table 2.1 in the report, seven villages are within 3.6km of the site.

Sekolah Kebangsaan Bihai, a primary school, is 2.1km away.

The project will cover 184.8ha, or nearly 259 football fields, within a forest area in Kelantan.

Severe effects expected

The report also noted that the project’s developmental and operational phases will impact soil erosion and sedimentation, river water quality, ecology, and aesthetics.

In particular, the report estimated that high to very high soil erosion would occur if no conservation measures were adopted due to the land clearing required to start mining operations.

This is because of the slopes and hills of the site, but it could be mitigated by the soil’s particle types which are more strongly attached together, it said.

Besides that, several species of flora and fauna, which have been listed as totally protected and protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, will be affected too.

It also noted that although there have not been confirmed sightings of Malayan tigers in the area, there have been reported encounters.

Separately, estimates put the number of Malayan tigers in peninsula forests at fewer than 150.

The report’s environmental management plan said that the project proponent would be responsible for ensuring works to protect the environment are part of its tender documents.

The company in charge must also take suggested measures on how to mitigate any effects on the environment.

The Environment Department published the report on Nov 12 and will receive public feedback until Dec 26 through a form that can be accessed here.

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