KLUANG: The Johor government has dismissed claims that deforestation is responsible for the rise in elephant-human conflicts in the region.
State Health and Environment Committee Chairman Ling Tian Soon said that there had been no illegal logging or deforestation in Kluang, Kahang, or Kota Tinggi.
However, he acknowledged that villagers' plantation activities might have encroached on the elephants' natural habitats.
Ling said there was a need for measures to stabilise the forest ecosystem, including setting up food banks with banana trees and Napier grass at key locations and using tracking collars to monitor elephant movements.
These food banks have been established in Kota Tinggi's Johor Elephant Sanctuary and are being planned in Kluang.
He said that relocating elephant herds involved in recent incidents, such as the attack on an Indonesian rubber tapper, is not feasible due to the complexity of moving entire herds.
The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is actively monitoring the herds and redirecting any strays.
Ling said that the scent of felled oil palm trees might have attracted the elephants to plantations, leading to conflicts.
Earlier, he visited the family of the 75-year-old Indonesian woman who was killed, to extend the state government's condolences.
Ling also paid a working visit to the Kahang Batu 22 health clinic, praising the medical staff.
"Even with limited resources, equipment, and manpower, the medical staff remained dedicated. They served the surrounding villagers, including nine Orang Asli villages," he added.