Save Ulu Muda Forest Reserve

THE Ulu Muda Rainforest is a natural heritage of 150 -170 million years rainforest located at the north-eastern corner of the state of Kedah, bordering Thailand. The size of the Ulu Muda Rainforest is about twice the size of Singapore. It encompasses the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve and Pedu Forest Reserve and is also where three important lakes and dams are - Pedu Dam, Muda Dam and Ahning Dam. These three dams are responsible for providing irrigation to increase paddy production for the needs of the country. Ulu Muda Rainforest used to have high biodiversity and consists of high-quality logs such as meranti, cengal and merbau due to low rates of poaching and human intrusion.

However, the forest is being cleared by illegal logging, deteriorating the forest ecosystem. The role of Ulu Muda as a water catchment has been threatened in terms of water quality and volume output.

Logging activities increase the rate of run-off soil into the river which will cause the river to be filled with sedimentation. The water will turn murky and will require extensive and expensive water treatment.

Apart from that, uncontrolled logging will disrupt the forest’s ability to absorb and retain rainwater which could result in severe flash floods and droughts. The forest controls the flow of water over the land. During heavy precipitation, the trees help trap the water in the soil. They hold water in their branches, trunks, roots and leaves thus minimising the risks of potent flash floods and massive landslides.

Deforestation might increase the potential of long dry spells in Malaysia. Some scientists postulate that we have cut so many forests that we might have reached a situation where severe drought is not only widespread but inevitable. The forest provides moisture for the formation of clouds. However, as the forest is cleared, the rain decreases at a faster rate, leading to longer droughts and higher temperatures. The longer droughts lead to longer and hotter fires, which will cause the forests to catch fire easily.

Illegal and uncontrolled logging in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve should be stopped immediately to prevent any bad consequences from occurring in the near future and to preserve the vital water catchment and its rich biodiversity.

About four million people in Kedah, Perlis and Penang are fully reliant on this water catchment for their raw water supply. The river in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve is used by the villagers living in the foot hills of Bukit Enggang for their daily use. If the illegal logging persists, four million people will face a serious disruption of clean water supply.

NUR IMANI ABDULLAH Forum Air Malaysia