(MY) letter on logging

[Guest guest]

Friday July 21, 2006-The Star

 

Logging is destructive

 

I FIND the declaration by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman that logging

in the Malua and Ulu Segama forest reserves would not damage the environment

to be naive and unrealistic, " Musa brushes aside fears over

reserves<http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/7/19/nation/14874111 & se\

c=nation> "

(*The Star,* July 19).

 

This is because the structure of the rainforest itself, where commercially

attractive timber trees are widely dispersed, means that even without

clear-cutting, the creation of logging roads to reach the forest resources

is destructive in itself.

 

Logging roads enable the settlement of previously inaccessible forest land

by speculators, developers, squatters and poachers.

 

Also, the selective harvesting of a few valuable tree species, or trees that

have reached a certain age, can still take a heavy toll on other flora and

fauna.

 

The felling of these trees could bring down and kill or otherwise damage

surrounding trees.

 

The thinning of the forest canopy exposes the forest to more sunlight,

possibly killing micro-organisms essential for decomposition and

nutrient-fixing, and dry up the topsoil and leaf litter, thus increasing the

forest's susceptibility to fire.

 

The use of heavy vehicles and machinery in the removal of logged trees also

damages the soil and increases the risk of erosion. As such, logging will

result in destruction and habitat loss.

 

With all due respect, the only assurance the chief minister can give is that

environmental damage can be mitigated, but not eliminated.

 

We can appreciate that there is a need to balance environmental conservation

with economic needs, and as such, adopting sustainable forestry methods

would provide a long-term solution to environmental problems and quality of

life issues.

 

We have commendable forestry laws that, if actively enforced, would ensure

sustainable forest management.

 

However, the failure of those in authority to accord environmental

conservation the priority it deserves, coupled with a *tutup sebelah

mata*(close one eye) mindset, has resulted in the exploitation and

mismanagement

of our forest resources.

 

Since we now have the chief minister's assurance that progressive forest

management policies will be complied with, we will expect nothing but

absolute transparency in, and ministerial responsibility over, this issue.

 

 

It is hoped that when all logging stops by the end of next year as pledged,

the landscape of Malua and Ulu Segama would not have altered so much that

there is little left to preserve and protect.

 

 

 

*WONG EE LYNN,

Rawang.*