JOHOR BARU: A Johor-based environmental organisation has raised questions over the mitigation measures proposed in the detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) report on the Forest City project, claiming that it would do little to save the surrounding area’s flora and fauna.
Non-governmental organisation Green Earth Society Johor, which aimed to promote education and create environmental awareness, said the report failed to address
the issue of how to rejuvenate
the fish population, saying it had been chased off their breeding ground.
Its chairman, P. Sivakumar, said the organisation had received reports from local fishermen of an 80 per cent drop in their catch.
“It is hard to understand the basis of harming the ecology, only to come up with mitigation measures later.
“A clear example is the seagrass in the area, which is being destroyed despite the fact that the success rate of seagrass replanting is as low as 10 per cent.”
He said the destruction of seagrass would have a knock-on effect, as it was the breeding ground of marine creatures, such as dugong and seahorses, which were unique to the Johor waterway.
Sivakumar questioned the amount of compensation to fishermen, saying it was unlikely that the money could sustain them for long.
He claimed that some fishermen, especially those from the Orang Asli community, might have lost their livelihood as many were not skilled to secure jobs.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Nature Society said the project developer should have undertaken the DEIA before going ahead with the reclamation.
Its president, Henry Goh, said it was crucial that those behind the project took into consideration the feelings of locals, as it was an integral part of corporate social responsibility.
“I am concerned about the wanton destruction of the flora and fauna along the waterway as a result of the reclamation.”