LANGKAWI – A veteran conservationist will be spearheading a signature campaign on the resort island to empower the local community to oppose any clearing of mangrove habitats that are crucial to harmonising the ecology of rainforests and beaches.
Following the outrage over suspected clearing of land near Tanjung Rhu, where pristine mangrove swamps are located, Irshad Mobarak said that he will rope in friends and fellow environmentalists to launch the community-based campaign soon.
The campaign is slated to be carried either through a physical or online petition drive, he said.
Although it was learnt that the land clearing has ceased, Irshad pointed out that the damage has already been done through the deforestation of the area.
It was also learnt that a non-governmental organisation – Friends of Langkawi Geo-Park, headed by former Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) general manager Datuk Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani – has been approached over the matter.
Furthermore, Penang-based Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) president Meenakshi Raman has also pledged to investigate the alleged transgression of the land.
“This is not the first time that land clearing has occurred in sensitive territories,” Irshad told The Vibes.
“Our mangrove swamps and forests should be protected at all costs if the authorities and the private sector are keen to promote eco-tourism,” said Irshad in an interview.
He also urged the authorities to prevent the recurrence of illegal land clearing.
Unexplained land clearing
Irshad noted a spate of unexplained land-clearing activities near the Four Seasons resort, sharing photographs showing felled trees and exposed earth, a trail of destruction to an area that he claimed is a mangrove swamp.
“What is disturbing is that there are no notices explaining why the land is being cleared,” Irshad said.
The area is famed for its mangrove forests and is part of the ecology of Sg Kilim, where popular mangrove tours are held, it being one of the sites that fall under the purview of Lada’s geopark division.
Langkawi has geological formations dating back to the Palaeozoic period and was accorded Unesco geopark status in 2007.
Irshad said he was told that a possible condominium project is in the works for the area.
“We know that the mangrove is home to an exotic list of creatures and primates. There is a need to conserve rather than develop. We should be advocating a change in strategy as there is a perceived glut in terms of accommodation here too,” he added.
Irshad also noted that the land-clearing activities and felled mangrove trees are not linked to the Four Seasons resort, and that the management was not involved in such activities.
The resort island is expecting an influx of visitors when the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 is held next month.
Veteran tourism industry player Ahmad Pishol Ishak said nature should not be compromised in the push to attract more tourists.
“In all frankness, the reason why tourists come is our nature. They want to see what they have lost back home.”
There have been several attempts to reach representatives of the developer and local authorities, but there has yet to be any response from them.
The Vibes has reached out to Langkawi district officer Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya and the island’s municipal council president Tunku Islandar Shah Tunku Muszaffar Shah to comment on the matter.
Langkawi MP Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah and Ayer Hangat assemblyman Datuk Juhari Bulat were also contacted for comment but they have yet to respond at press time. – The Vibes, April 18, 2023
