CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Unsustainable land clearing is continuing on a staggering scale here, with pristine virgin jungle the size of numerous football fields chopped down to make way for agriculture conversion. （金马伦高原上的原始森林正在被以惊人的速度开发成农地）
A large portion of the land clearing is taking place away from the public eye, as excavators and tractors are kept busy deep in the heart of the jungle, a good hour's drive from the main road. （因为大部分被开发的地点在丛林深处，所以并没有被民众发现）
The bulk of the clearing at Pos Terisu spans at least four hills and valleys, the fresh red earth an ugly scar on the remaining green areas.
Some no longer resemble hills as deep shelves have been cut into the land which is flattened so that farmers can start planting vegetables.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (Reach), a community based organisation formed by a group of Cameron Highlands residents alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating environment, has called on their newly-elected member of parliament Datuk Seri G. Palanivel to solve the critical pollution issues in the constituency.
Its president, R. Ramakrishnan, said uncontrolled land clearing activities were being carried out in several forest reserve areas, causing river pollution in Cameron Highlands.
"It is learnt that the land is being cleared for illegal vegetable farms. Reach lodged several reports to the authorities, but no action has been taken against," he said.
Ramakrishnan said tests conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) researchers revealed that river waters in Cameron Highland were polluted with toxic pesticides and that could affect the residents' health.
"The toxic water pollution is caused by the opening of farms, particularly upstream of the Terla river water catchment areas and treatment plant.
"This will affect the quality of clean water supplied to residents of one of Malaysia's famous tourist destinations," he said.
Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) deputy secretary-general Foon Weng Lian said the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry, led by Palanivel, should solve the river pollution issue here as the rivers were the source of water supply for the residents.
"The river pollution issue was raised by various non-governmental organisations, but nothing has been forthcoming and the farmers still carrying out the illegal farming activities," said Foon, who is also Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia secretary-general.
Foon said as Cameron Highlands member of parliament, Palanivel should take action to ensure the area is monitored often so that the pollution problem would not get worse. Bernama.
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发表于 19-5-2013 04:56 PM
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