Satellite Images Show Deforestation About A Kilometre Of Kenyir Lake

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Satellite images of the area around Kenyir Lake show deforestation within a kilometre of the lake, within a protected zone.
This comes as the state forestry government denies illegal logging in the area, following a viral video of wood debris filling up the river near the lake.
The satellite images accessible via Global Forest Watch (GFW) dashboard showed tree cover loss in the area within the last year, which activists say points to logging.
Kenyir area image dated November 2020

Kenyir area image dated May 2021

Kenyir area image dated September 2021

Kenyir area image dated January 2022
Malaysiakini's checks found some of the patches of tree cover loss started emerging around May last year and became most visible by satellite around September. Prior to that, the forest area was intact.
According to the GFW dashboard, the same area has experienced some seven hectares of tree cover loss since 2019 - the equivalent of almost 10 football fields.
A general view of the Kenyir Lake region (see below) also shows other patches of tree cover loss within a kilometre from the lake.
The GFW data does not state reasons for the tree cover loss, which could also be caused by natural phenomenons like landslides or fire.
State forestry urged to be transparent
However, environmentalists believe it is an indication of logging due to the patterns, which bear a resemblance to logging trails elsewhere.
"We are suspicious of logging (or) forest clearing activities by humans as the bird's eye view pattern observed of the disturbance to green cover resembles previously seen patterns in logging areas," Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka) vice president Damien Thanam told Malaysiakini.
As such, he said, the state forestry department should clarify if any construction is taking place in the forest there.
"The state forestry director was clear when he mentioned that no illegal logging is taking place in Kenyir Lake. But he failed to mention if there are licensed logging or forest clearing licenses for resorts or government buildings issued.
"The state forestry office has to be transparent on this matter."
The Kenyir State Park is a 30,000 ha protected zone established in 2018.
Besides containing an essential water reservoir and hydroelectric dam, it is also home to at least 44 mammal species and more than 290 bird species, including critically endangered species like the Malayan Tiger.
Environmental group Rimba, which assisted the state government in creating the Kenyir State Park, said there are still areas there, located outside of the 30,000 ha protected zone, which are earmarked for logging.
"While we have worked with the Terengganu state government to successfully protect part of the watershed as Kenyir State Park, many other forested areas there are still earmarked for logging.
"In order to mitigate climate change, there is an urgent need to prevent further forest conversion, not just for wildlife, but to sustain the livelihoods of people in Terengganu dependent on Kenyir for water and flood mitigation," Rimba said on its website.
Earlier this week, the state forestry department and Terengganu government both clarified that the abundance of wood debris near Kenyir Lake was not due to logging but heavy rain, which caused a large landslide.
The slippage involved land an estimated 100m in length and 50m in width.
It followed a short video of fire and rescue personnel crossing a body of water filled with what looked like hundreds of floating logs, with the sign for Kenyir Lake visible in the background.
Tasik Kenyir…what a devastating situation! But then again who cares right? Destroying nature for profits…so-called regulated or uncontrolled loggings? Will leave this question to viewers to judge & see for themselves!Is our govt capable of managing our natural resources? 🤯🤷🤦 pic.twitter.com/awIX1GkXXq
— David Wong (@davidwong27) March 1, 2022- Mkini 

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