Kedah Told To Seek Federal Funding To Pay Loggers Protect Forests

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An environmental NGO has appealed to the Kedah government not to provide loggers with replacement forests but instead to seek federal assistance in securing international funds
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said these funds are available for the protection and conservation of forests, if the purpose is for addressing climate change and biodiversity protection
"International funds are available such as from the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund, and the Global Environment Facility
"These international funds are targeted to support developing countries in meeting their climate change and biodiversity objectives, which bring global benefits as well," Meenakshi said in a statement
She explained that the funds for protecting state forests could only be accessed with federal government support
"Such international funds recognise the need for payments to developing countries such as Malaysia for the ecosystem services provided by our tropical rainforests, such as acting as carbon-sinks in absorbing greenhouse gases, as well as protecting water resources and maintaining biodiversity," she added
Meenakshi (above) was referring to remarks by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor that 40 forest concession holders had to be paid RM1 billion in compensation or be given replacement forests due to the withdrawal of their concessions in permanent forest reserves by the previous state government
During the tenure of Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah MB, logging activities in Ulu Muda had been banned
Today, the Kedah MB's office clarified that the state government insists the replacement be within the area authorised by the Forestry Department based on current laws and regulations.

The MB said the priority of the state government is to ensure that the lives of the people will not be disturbed.

He also stressed that there would be no pollution, erosion, mud floods, and other negative consequences to the environment and human life, either in the short or long term.

Meenakshi said the federal government must urgently access these funds and channel them to the states that are rich in forest resources such as Kedah.

This, she added, would enable the country to meet its international commitments under the Paris Agreement as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Meenakshi advised that it is critical for the water catchment forests of Ulu Muda and its surrounding areas, known as the Greater Ulu Muda Forest, to be protected
"The sustainability of water resources is critical for the survival of millions of people, not only in Kedah, but also Perlis and Penang.

"These water resources are also vital in supporting the rice-bowl of the country, which the Kedah MB has promised to protect," she said.

The Ulu Muda forests serve the water needs of an estimated population of 4.09 million people in three states.

About 96% of raw water in Kedah, 70% in Perlis, and more than 80% in Penang comes from Ulu Muda.

Logging in the past has damaged areas in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve.

Meenakshi urged the new Kedah government to urgently gazette the Ulu Muda Forests as water catchment forests if this has not already been done.

"Do not allow any activities within the forest areas that may threaten its life-supporting functions.

"Otherwise, we will be facing a serious water crisis in the coming years, especially due to climate change," Meenakshi said. - Mkini

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