KUCHING: Logging activities in Ulu Baram will have devastating environmental consequences while severely impacting the surrounding indigenous communities, said 47 organisations through a joint statement initiated by B.E.A.CC. H. and the CSO Platform for Reform Sarawak Chapter.

B.E.A.CC.H., which stands for Biodiversity, Environment, Agroecology, Climate change and Habitats, is the environmental cluster of the CSO Platform for Reform, a coalition of 60 civil society organisations focusing on institutional reforms for a better Malaysia.

The organisations, which included Terabai Kenyalang Heritage Association of Sarawak, SAVE Rivers, Persatuan Pemeliharaandan Pemuliharaan Alam Sekitar Sarawak (Pelihara), Sarawak Dayak Iban Association, Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal Sarawak (Tahabas), Persatuan Dayak Sarawak (Pedas), and Pertubuhan Hak Asasi Orang Asal Sarawak, among others, said the recent statement by Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau claiming that logging posed no threat to the indigenous community in Baram is unfounded.

“Logging has significantly altered the environmental balance of the virgin forest and led damage to the waterways, causing siltation, landslides, and flooding,” they said in a statement.

The organisations said currently, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report is not mandatory for the clearing of virgin forests in Sarawak and is only required for re-entry.

“The requirement and process for an EIA report should be standardised for all logging activities in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak – with mandatory public participation as is the norm in Peninsular Malaysia. Additionally, the absence of an EIA report raises questions about whether communities in the area were consulted and if a Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process was undertaken as part of the public participation process for activities in their area,” they said.

They pointed out that the FPIC process allows indigenous communities to give or withhold consent to a project that may affect them or their areas.

“The lack of both the EIA and FPIC process raises doubts over the comments made by Dennis on communities welcoming the logging activities.

“Local communities are the eyes and ears of the locality, providing insights necessary to ensure the ecological balance and the social and cultural landscape remain protected at all costs.

“Additionally, as inhabitants of the area, it is imperative that they understand the impact and the consequences of the project with free access to transparent information,” said the organisations. They stressed that disasters brought on by human activity such as land clearing and logging have plagued the country in the form of various natural disasters.

“It is time for Malaysia to adopt standard legislation concerning forest protection to meet the nation’s pledge during the Rio Earth Summit 1992 to maintain at least 50 per cent of its natural forest cover.”

In light of the recent floods, B.E.A.CC.H had conducted a pilot study on flood impact and community perceptions in lower Baram. Baram district was used as a case study for riverine conservation.

The aim was to develop a framework supporting and providing remedial action for the affected communities and the riverine areas.

Based on the study, the organisations said it is recommended that the communities living along the riverine develop a flood-ready attitude and preparedness.

“Capacity building such as these would ultimately empower the inhabitants with the necessary skills and knowledge on support resources, helping them build resilience in the face of a disaster,” they said.

They said the study recommends government agencies involve local communities in developing disaster management policies and programmes.

“The incorporation of local knowledge and perspective facilitates a better understanding of contributing factors in the respective region; and enables authorities to gain grounded insights for effective mitigation strategies.

“These recommendations require serious consideration and implementation as a step towards necessary progress in protecting native rights and the nation’s rich virgin forests,” said the organisations.