GREEN groups have always eyed so-called Reduced Impact Logging or RIL techniques with suspicion. Although they do incur less damage to forests then conventional logging methods, RIL methods such as skyline yarder, long haulage ground cable system and helicopter logging \u2014 which essentially lift felled trees from the forest floor instead of dragging them \u2014 have remained controversial.<\/p>\n
There is a nagging fear that they may be misused to log areas inaccessible to bulldozers and tractors, thereby opening the most remote forests to loggers. Or they may be used to log ecologically-sensitive sites on the pretext that they cause little destruction.<\/p>\n
In helicopter logging, felled trees are lifted from the forest floor, unlike conventional logging where bulldozers drag logs along skid trails to the main road, exposing huge tracts of soil and damaging surrounding trees.<\/p>\n
And now, those fears have come true. Sarawak timber giant WTK Holdings Bhd plans to extend the use of helicopter logging (or heli-logging) to forests in Kedah \u2014 forests which are not only untouched, but designated as water catchments. WTK says heli-logging is the best option for the site as it is less destructive than conventional logging.<\/p>\n
The Kedah Government has bought into that idea. Last March, it approved in principle heli-logging of 122,798ha of forests. Timber harvesting will stretch over 10 years in two phases in the project by WTK which holds a 80% stake and the Kedah Yayasan Islam, 20%.<\/p>\n
Phase I covers 72,934ha of the Ulu Muda forest reserve. Phase II covers 49,864ha in six forest reserves: the Ulu Muda, Chebar Besar, Padang Terap, Pedu, Bukit Saiong and Bukit Keramat. A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment, but only on Phase I, is being reviewed by the Department of Environment (DOE).<\/p>\n
If the project proceeds, much is at stake. These forests are gazetted as \u201dprotection forests\u201d\u009d because they function as the water catchment for three important dams: the Ahning, Pedu and Muda. Kedah, Perlis and Penang depend on these dams and their catchment for water, as do the 96,000ha Muda Irrigation Scheme, otherwise known as Kedah\u2019s Rice Bowl.<\/p>\n
\u201dIf trees are harvested, the catchment forest will no longer function as a source of water,\u201d\u009d warns a forest botanist familiar with the project. \u201dThe terrain is hilly and logging will lead to erosion and eventually, the dam may be silted up.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Local folks are protesting too. \u201dLogging will threaten farming in the Muda area,\u201d\u009d says padi farmer Ahmad Fadzil Mohammad, 52, of Kampung Padang Tui Air Hitam, near Alor Star. \u201dThe dams may dry up. Once you cut the trees, there will be less water.\u201d\u009d As it is, the Muda area has suffered water woes. Just last year, a water shortage prevented the double cropping which had made padi cultivation there a success.<\/p>\n
\u201dEven before logging, we already have water problems. After logging, it will be worse. Only the state will profit from the project. We, the farmers, will suffer,\u201d\u009d says Ahmad.<\/p>\n
He says many farmers are unaware of the project and its ecological consequences. \u201dWe have formed a group to explain to people so that they will not be confused. They can then judge for themselves whether the project is good or bad.\u201d\u009d About 10,000 farmers have supported a signature campaign protesting against the project.<\/p>\n
What with Kedah being known as a \u201dwater deficit\u201d\u009d area, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) says the important consideration here is to protect its water catchment. \u201dThe loss of water due to logging will offset any economic benefits from logging,\u201d\u009d says CAP president S.M. Idris. Furthermore, the Ulu Muda forest is one of the last tracts of remaining virgin forests in the country and is known to harbour rich wildlife.<\/p>\n
Regrettably, these facts and the basic principle that the area is a gazetted catchment have been blatantly ignored. [Much to lose despite heli-logging<\/em>. Tan Cheng Li. The Star. March 26 2003]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Oh:<\/p>\n “There must be some way out of here,” said the joker to the thief, \u2014 Bob Dylan, All Along the Watchtower.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n And I like this version:<\/p>\n [youtube]Ka_sHy9cVH0[\/youtube]<\/p>\n
\n“There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief.
\nBusinessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
\nNone of them along the line know what any of it is worth.”<\/p>\n
![\"Some](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.maddruid.com\/Graphics\/earthlyStrip\/earthlyStripUmnoPasEnvWar.png?resize=500%2C375\")
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