KULIM: The federal government confirmed that no illegal logging or forest exploration activities have occurred near protected areas in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said initial reports from the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department have found no evidence of logging in the forest's water catchment area.
He said that the ministry, however, would remain vigilant and continue to monitor the situation as it had received complaints from environmental non-government organisations.
"They (environmental NGOs) have produced satellite imagery and data from other sources to claim that there is illegal logging occurring there.
"The government will closely monitor the situation because it is a highly sensitive water catchment area supplying water to three states, namely Kedah, Perlis and Penang," he said during a press conference after a working visit at SMA Tarbiah Diniah here today.
On January 21, environmental group RimbaWatch claimed that logging in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve had caused pollution at the water catchment area.
A study conducted by the group through satellite imaging found silt deposits in the water catchment area in March last year, and the deposits have built up in October last year.
The problem is expected to affect about 80 per cent of Penang's water source, which depends entirely on the water catchment area that flows into Sungai Muda.
Meanwhile, on Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's proposal to establish the Ulu Muda Basin Authority under federal jurisdiction to manage the water catchment area, Nik Nazmi said such matters must be thoroughly discussed between state governments before making a decision.
"This is not a new proposal. However, we know that under our Constitution, the management of water resources falls under the jurisdiction of the state government.
"So, our approach is to encourage discussions between the involved state governments," he added.