(MY) - logging at wildlfie area

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Monday May 29, 2006-The Star - 29th May 2006

 

Signs of logging found at wildlife area in Perak

 

*By HAH FOONG LIAN*

 

*EXECLUSIVE*

 

*SUNGAI SIPUT: *Yet another protected green area is under threat. This time,

it is the Chior Wildlife Reserve which is located about 25km from here.

 

It has been discovered recently that parts of the 690ha wildlife reserve had

been cleared and that there was now a logging track criss-crossing the

area.

 

A check by *The Star* revealed that many trees had been felled and piles of

logs were found in a cleared holding area just outside the boundary of the

wildlife reserve.

 

A logging licence for 80ha of the reserve was posted on a signboard in the

area.

 

The signboard said the licence was valid from March 16 to Sept 15 and listed

the name of the licence holder and number.

 

Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department ranger Mohd Hassan Asim and

officer Nizam Asaari, who were in the reserve to make a wildlife inventory,

were shocked at what they saw.

 

Mohd Hassan said the logging track was not there when he surveyed the area

last year.

 

" We had to park our vehicle at the fringe of the reserve and walk in. Now,

we can drive right in, " he said, adding that the track criss-crossed parts

of the reserve.

 

He discovered the track and felled trees using the global positioning system

(GPS).

 

The GPS reading also indicated that the signboard bearing the logging

licence information was about 250m inside the reserve although the holding

area was located just outside its boundary.

 

State Forestry Department director Datuk Razani Ujang said he would

investigate the matter.

 

He added that logging licences could not be given out for forest reserves as

they were under the jurisdiction of the Wildlife and National Parks

Department.