Drifting deadwood in Sungai Krangan: NREB gets into action

KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak has initiated critical measures to address the recent environmental incident at Sungai Krangan in Balai Ringin.

Controller of Environment Quality Jack Liam said NREB took action after reports of massive floating debris and drifting deadwood, threatening the water intake point (WIP) that supplies water to the Balai Ringin water treatment plant.

“The incident, which was caused by uncontrolled bulldozing and land clearing by a plantation company, has led to significant environmental and socio-economic impacts.

“The affected river is not only vital for the water supply, but also serves as an important resource for the local population.

“Thus, we are taking this matter very seriously and have already taken several measures to address the issue,” he said in a statement today.

Jack said among the measures taken was that the company responsible for the activities has been penalised for its violations, particularly for clearing buffer zones along the river within their plantation, which are critical in preventing such environmental problems.

“The company has also been instructed to immediately remove and clear all debris and logs obstructing the river.

“This action is essential to restore the normal flow of the river, prevent possible flooding, and ensure that the water intake point and the villagers’ livelihoods are protected,” he said.

He added that the company is also required to rehabilitate the degraded areas by planting native tree species at the affected buffer zones.

“This measure is necessary to restore ecological balance and prevent similar environmental damage in the future,” he said.

Jack revealed that NREB is conducting a thorough investigation to determine if there are any additional violations within the buffer zones.

“If additional violations are found, we will initiate an investigation and legal action will be taken against the responsible parties, including bringing them to court for prosecution,” he said.

On Sept 2, Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan said indiscriminate bulldozing and prior site clearing by a plantation company in the upstream had led to accumulation of floating debris, drifting deadwoods, and a logjam after the heavy rain.

He said according to reports from NREB officers who inspected the area on Aug 31, some sections of Phase 2 of the plantation area encroached the 8-kilometre radius of the water catchment area from the WIP in Balai Ringin.

“This follows complaints from the villagers, especially those from Kampung Melayu Balai Ringin, who had reported the issue to the Balai Ringin sub district officer, headed by Sarawak Administration Officer (SAO) Mohamad Adam Abdullah,” he said.