Baling floods not caused by logging, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: No active logging activity has been reported in the Gunung Inas forest reserve area that could have resulted in the headwater phenomenon and flash floods in Baling yesterday, says energy and natural resources Takiyuddin Hassan.

He said a report by the forestry department had confirmed that there was no active logging activity in the area concerned.

However, forest development had been carried out in “compartment eight” of the forest reserve since 2019 and this was approved by the state government.

This forest development was carried out for reforestation purposes and so far, more than 5,000 trees had been planted on a 52ha site.

“The forestry department has investigated this and confirmed that the trees that were washed away are not from logging activities as their roots were found intact,” he said after taking part in Bernama Radio’s Jendela Fikir programme today.

Hundreds of residents in several villages had to be evacuated to relief centres yesterday after more than 80 houses were affected by floods. — Free Malaysia Today