Additional Info

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMERON HIGHLANDS No.1, Jalan Besar, 39100 Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur Tel: 05-491 4950, 491 5950 Fax: 05-491 5832 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.reach.org.my

12th March 2004 Ketua Pengarah Alam Sekitar Malaysia Jabatan Alam Sekitar Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Alam Sekitar Aras 3-7, Block C4 Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62662 Putrajaya. (u.p. En. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rasol) Additional Information – DEIA for the Proposed Rehabilitation of Ringlet Reservoir, Cameron Highlands. February 2004. 1.0 Project Options Justification for selecting Sg. Jasin area. The field visit on 18th August 2003 for the purpose of identifying additional potential disposal areas did not justify the findings. REACH refers to the letter from TNB Ref: TNBE/HED/2/1/320/00/12 dated 10 September 2003 which states that Site 1: Sg. Sok Moi is one of the potential site. Firstly, the site is assumed to belong to TNB and is presently occupied by farmers. The area available for placement of sediment is about 200m long by 150m wide and the maximum volume of sediment that could be placed is estimated at 150,000m3. REACH questions these statistics as our investigation shows that TNB’s reserve land in that area is 22 acres (9 hectare). As this area has been cleared for farms, it would be more suitable for dumping the silt, compared to destroying primary montane forest. The present area, Sg. Jasin and Sg. Jasik falls under Permanent Forest Reserve (Hutan Simpan Ringlet), refer to pg 4-4 of Additional Information – DEIA for the proposed rehabilitation of Ringlet Reservoir, Cameron Highlands (Feb 2004). Recommendation: REACH requests TNB to carry out a proper survey giving details of a more suitable area (hectare) together with the estimated volume of sediment storage. 2.0 Project Description 2.1 Question (DO) As TNB is in the process of obtaining approval from the TNB office for the proposed methodology, REACH questions TNB’s present action in dumping the silt at Sg. Jasin

REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMERON HIGHLANDS No.1, Jalan Besar, 39100 Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang Darul Makmur Tel: 05-491 4950, 491 5950 Fax: 05-491 5832 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.reach.org.my

area. At present, the contractor is employing ‘bulldoze and bury’ method of the standing biomass, which should not be practiced. Recommendation: The standing biomass should be properly disposed and not bulldoze and bury. This is to ensure that there are no problems in future. However, REACH does not prescribe this method of destroying the limited montane forest areas in Cameron Highlands. There are other alternatives which REACH would like TNB to consider. 3.6 Noise There have been complaints from local residents living nearby the decantation pond. REACH would like TNB to do further noise level testing at the site, nearby Lakeview Villa (see attached letter from local resident, which will be presented at the meeting). 4.1.1.8.2

Construction Phase

The report emphasizes that the montane forest with this type of ecosystem is scarce within the country. The entire section in the report leads to one conclusion, that this forested area should be left undisturbed. 4.1.2.2. Bird Survey The bird species list provided in the report states 11 new species has been recorded in the site. Also a potential new species for Peninsular Malaysia, the Waterfall Swift have been recorded. With the rapid development and deforestation in Cameron Highlands, valuable species could be lost. The finding of the potential new species proves that the forest in the site is still capable of having rich biological diversity and must be conserved. Recommendation: REACH would like TNB to provide a detail conservation management plan for the site. As time is limited for us to review the entire report, REACH will provide more comments on the meeting day. Thank you. Sincerely, Ramakrishnan R. President REACH. Protect Mother Nature, Protect Our Future