KOTA BARU: Environmental activists have claimed that logging and forest clearing in Gua Musang is reported to be "extremely severe", going as far as describing Kelantan as the worst state in the Peninsular in terms of forest management.
Non-governmental organisation Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa), who had monitored the area for over 10 years, found that forest clearing had been carried out either for new plantation development, mining, or quarrying purposes.
Its chairman Hafizudin Nasarudin alleged that the scale of forest destruction in Gua Musang, including in Nenggiri, was "extremely bad".
"Deforestation in Gua Musang has long been severe. In the past, logging in Gua Musang was selective, but now it is done through clear-cutting.
"The scale of forest destruction, particularly in areas like Nenggiri, is severe. In Kuala Betis, for instance, hundreds of trucks are seen coming and going daily," he told Berita Harian yesterday.
On Tuesday, Kelantan opposition leader Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim revealed that the state government had granted 54 forest exploration approvals, covering an area of over 13,000 hectares, since 2022 in Nenggiri.
The Gua Musang Umno division deputy chief said based on Environmental Impact Assessment approval applications, the new forest exploration approvals had been granted for various purposes, including opening plantations, forest enrichment and mining.
Hafizudin claimed that forest clearing activities in Gua Musang had harmed the safety of the residents nearby.
"Kuasa is very disappointed with the state government that never hears the demands of NGOs. How many residents have already been killed by tigers or faced threats from elephants due to the shrinking habitat of these animals?" he questioned.