JANDA BAIK: Villagers here hope that Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) would consider an alternative route for its high-voltage lines project to protect the surrounding rivers from being polluted.
They claimed the land clearing in the area would cut through headwaters of Sungai Benus and its tributaries, and affect four other rivers — Sungai Kuala Lurau, Sungai Cemperoh, Sungai Kepayang and Sungai Tampik.
Villager Mohd Rosli Norrashid, 50, said although work had been put on hold since October, the rivers had already been affected.
Checks by the New Straits Times yesterday showed that the rivers were shallow and murky.
“Our main sources of income are ecotourism and farming, and we rely on the rivers for our source of water.
“People who visit Janda Baik love to swim in the rivers, but they have complained that the rivers are shallow and murky.
“If people stop coming, our source of income will be affected.”
Known for its natural beauty, the village town is home to 2,200 people. There are 520 homes and 100 locally-owned chalets and resorts.
“We are not against the project. We just want to protect the environment,” Rosli said.
He said the villagers had proposed an alternative route along the Bukit Tinggi Forest Reserve for the project to minimise any impact on the environment.
A public dialogue to be held on Dec 19 was hoped to iron out any issues pertaining to the project, he said.
It will be attended by some 500 people, including representatives from TNB, the Forestry Department, the Department of Environment, the Association for the Protection of National Heritage and local residents.
TNB said it had always adhered to the authorities’ recommendations when implementing projects.
It said the routes for its project here had been approved by the government and an environmental impact assessment of the project had been carried out.
Rosli said he hoped the results of the assessment could be shared at the public dialogue.
He said the only feedback received on the project so far was from the Bentong district office.