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span style="font-size:14px">The fate of the only remaining ‘oxygen tank’ in Kuala Selangor’s Banjar South Mangrove Forest has of late been thrust under the microscope and debated by nature lovers and local communities. This final of a two-part article on the Kuala Selangor Nature Park takes a look at what the local communities have to say.
KUALA SELANGOR (Bernama) – “If the mangrove forest in this nature park (Kuala Selangor Nature Park or KSNP) is exploited for the purpose of development, how will small-time fishermen like me eke out a living? Life is getting harder for us here because our yields are not as good as they used to be.”
Kahar Buntal’s laments were clearly audible over the deafening noise of his boat engine. The 69-year-old coastal fisherman has obviously heard the rumour that KSNP has been earmarked for an international-class tourism project.
For this father-of-four, who makes a living by collecting clams from Sungai Buloh in Jeram here, the 292-hectare wetlands sanctuary is his only hope of a perpetual source of income for him and his family.
This is because it is the only remaining mangrove swamp in Kuala Selangor district’s Banjar South Mangrove Forest following aggressive land-use activities along the shores of the mangrove forest that stretches from the banks of Sungai Selangor to Sungai Buloh, Jeram, thus accentuating the ecological importance of KSNP as a breeding ground for marine resources and nesting site for water birds.
Situated on the estuary of Sungai Selangor and adjacent to Bukit Melawati, about 60 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, KSNP is well known as a transition point for migratory birds. It is also known for its mangrove ecosystems and diverse range of flora and fauna.
Kahar told Bernama the survival of the mangrove forest is vital to the local fishing community as it is an ideal breeding area for fish and prawns. However, the rapid pace of development in the surrounding areas and the ensuing pollution have caused their populations to decline.
A BIG LOSS
According to Kahar, prior to 2015, he could harvest more than 50 sacks of clams within two hours but these days, it is hard for him to collect even 10 kilogrammes.
He said many fishermen who used to operate their own clam farms have quit the activity due to declining yields although Kuala Selangor, at one time, was known for its bountiful supply of clams.
“These days, fishing has become our part-time job… our main occupation now is ferrying visitors and tourists up and down the (Selangor) river to watch the migratory birds at the nature park here,” he said, adding that their livelihood would be ruined if KSNP is developed.
Acknowledging the importance of the mangrove swamp to the local communities, Universiti Putra Malaysia environmental governance expert Associate Prof Dr Haliza Abdul Rahman said the forest not only possesses high economic value but also acts as a natural buffer against natural disasters.
“If KSNP is developed, it will be a huge loss as its functions, as well as the services offered by the mangrove forest, will disappear. It’s crucial to preserve its unique ecosystems at all costs.
“If a mangrove forest in any area disappears or is contaminated by pollutants, the entire fish population and livelihoods of fishermen will be affected because there will be no more breeding ground left for the fish; the area will also lose its ecotourism value,” she said.
According to Haliza, profits derived from fishing activities in mangrove areas usually amount to millions of ringgit a year. In fact, 42 percent of catches on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia comprise fish that have close links with mangrove habitats.
She also pointed out that the size of Malaysia’s mangrove forests has shrunk to 409,290 hectares from 467,760 hectares within the last 30 years, adding that more than 50 percent of these forests in Peninsular Malaysia are currently facing destruction. The percentage has been rising steadily over the years due to the implementation of development plans that do not prioritise the conservation of the nation’s natural ecosystems.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that KSNP – the only remaining ‘oxygen tank’ in Kuala Selangor’s Banjar South Mangrove Forest – is now in the spotlight following a proposal by a private company to turn the nature park into an international-class tourist destination.
Bernama also reported that KSNP is now in the process of being gazetted as a permanent forest reserve. However, neither the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) – which is tasked with the management of KSNP – nor the local communities in the area have been notified of the proposed development by the Selangor government.
IMPACT
Bukit Melawati state assemblyman Juwairiya Zulkifli, who is also the Selangor Menteri Besar’s political secretary, and Selangor Forestry Department director Datuk Ahmad Fadzil Abdul Majid, when contacted by Bernama, said they knew of the proposal to develop KSNP.
“It’s true… but not the whole park. People don’t understand, when we say development of the nature park, they assume it involves the whole park. That’s not the case. Only part of it will be developed,” said Ahmad Fadzil.
Commenting on this, Kampung Tanjung Keramat headman Mohamad Naser Mohamad Amid, 41, said although the proposed development is said to involve only a part of KSNP, he and his fellow villagers believe that there would be widespread repercussions if the project is given the go-ahead by the state authorities.
He said as it is, aggressive land-use activities within the mangrove forest have not only depleted its marine resources but rendered the local communities more vulnerable to natural disasters.
He said several houses in their village were destroyed by heavy rain and strong winds following the destruction of mangrove trees that serve as a natural fortress against waves and provide protection against strong winds.
The villagers, he added, are also experiencing floods more frequently now, with the water level rising up to their ankles each time there is a heavy downpour or when the high tide phenomenon strikes.
On the proposed development in KSNP, Mohamad Naser said so far none of the state government agencies have come forward to shed more light on the project.
“We are worried because we are already feeling the impact of the rampant development in Kuala Selangor, not to mention the effects of climate change… the villagers here feel stressed each time it rains,” he said, adding that many of them are also worried that the human-animal conflict they are currently encountering would worsen if the proposed development becomes a reality.
“For the villagers in this area, KSNP is their main resource. As the local community, our voice must be heard too. We’re not rejecting development, we just want to know what kind of guarantee they can give us in terms of reducing the impact of natural disasters and providing us job opportunities.”
EMPTY PROMISES
Mohamad Naser, meanwhile, said he has seen the proposed plan to develop KSNP and felt that it only served to benefit certain parties and not the local communities.
He said while the developer has pledged to create job or business opportunities, the locals may not necessarily benefit from it.
“They may be making empty promises. In the past, the villagers were promised jobs when aquaculture and other projects were established in this area. But look at us… most of us are still making a living as coastal fishermen while some are working as security guards,” he said.
He said instead of targeting KSNP for its tourism project, the developer should, instead, focus on the areas around Bukit Melawati and Bukit Selangor which are rich in history and have tourism potential. Makam Keramat Anak Dara or Keramat Rubiah Keramat, located behind Bukit Melawati, is among the historical relics found there. Kota Tanjung Keramat, a fort which existed during the reign of the second sultan of Selangor Sultan Ibrahim Shah, is located in the northern part of Bukit Selangor.
“The historical value of these areas has been neglected. Job opportunities for the locals can be created by developing these areas without having to destroy the (Kuala Selangor) nature park,” he added.
STILL INTACT
Meanwhile, senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Faculty of Applied Science Dr Harinder Rai Singh said KSNP has not degraded and is still a treasure trove of flora and fauna.
“My concern, however, is the disturbance to the varied mangrove ecosystem services and disturbance to an awareness and education site for mangroves as many people visit KSNP,” he said.
MNS conducts mangrove replanting programmes in KSNP in collaboration with companies through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
MNS KSNP manager Maichal Isthyben said over RM10 million has been spent on conservation and rehabilitation efforts and to replant mangroves that were impacted by changes in the weather, strong waves, lightning strikes and diseases.
“The replanting cost of each tree ranges from a minimum of RM5.50 to up to RM45. It’s costly and the state government doesn’t give any allocation to MNS to manage KSNP. We get our funds from members’ contributions and CSR projects,” he said, adding that the state government only provides an allocation for infrastructure development.
Translated by Rema Nambiar
