LUMUT, Feb 1 — Environmental groups are protesting planned dredging activities at the Pasir Panjang beach at Teluk Senangin near here that they say will affect turtle landings.
Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA) activist Noor Ismady Ahmad Radzuan said a barge and pipes had been placed at the beach area since last week in anticipation of sand dredging.
“We were tipped off of the activity by another non-governmental organisation which collects turtle eggs in the area,” he said.
Speaking to Malay Mail today, Noor Ismady said ambong-ambong trees, vital in attracting turtles to land, had also been removed.
“Last year, three nests with each containing between 80 and 100 turtle eggs, were unearthed at this stretch,” he said.
“If the dredging activity continues, it will be a major setback to turtle conservation,” he added.
Noor Ismady said a check with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) showed the dredging was to alleviate flooding at Segari area.
“It does not make sense as flooding is on the upstream. Why the need to disturb the beach area?” he questioned.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said Pasir Panjang beach is classified as Environmentally Sensitive Area rank one under the National Physical Plan drawn up by the Town and Country Planning Department.
“DID claimed that sand dredging at the river mouth of Sungai Puyu that flows into Pasir Panjang is to alleviate flooding. No matter how much sand is removed from the river mouth, sand will still gather there as it is a natural occurrence,” he said.
He said flooding at Segari was actually due to lack of wetland at the upstream.
“Due to the planting of oil palm at the upstream, the wetland was turned into a drain. Without the natural sponge, it will only lead to flooding,” he said.
SAM, added Meor Razak, was saddened by the destruction to the beach caused by the dredging activity.
“Turtles will not be landing at the area anymore,” he said.
It was previously reported that Teluk Senangin was one of the landing sites for Green turtles and Olive Ridley, which are endangered species.
Both species are smaller than the leatherbacks that frequent Rantau Abang in Terengganu, and have made the west coast of the peninsula their home.
The Olive Ridley and Green turtles are often seen between March and June in Perak, Penang and Melaka, where they come to lay eggs.
