SHOULD development projects that benefit only a select few, be carried out at the expense of nature? This question is probably running through the heads of many Perak folk after the New Straits Times reported that a 100-ha mangrove replanting site in Kampung Teluk Rubiah, Kuala Gula had been cleared for a freshwater prawn aquaculture project.
The saplings were planted by companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), federal and state agencies over the past six to seven years.
It was learnt that a company from Penang had begun clearing the area since the start of this month, and that most of the land in Kampung Teluk Rubiah had been acquired for the project. It must be stressed that the project is legal.
The fishing community has urged Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir to halt the project.
Zambry has pledged to look into the matter and told newsmen after last week's state executive council meeting that he had asked the relevant agencies to submit a report to him.
Sahabat Hutan Bakau Kuala Gula chairman and fishing community spokesman Zakaria Mohamad said the efforts by the federal and state authorities, which had spent more than RM500,000 to conserve the mangrove forest for eco-tourism purposes, would be a waste if the land was cleared.
The concern here is whether it is right to clear the mangrove forest to make way for such a project. I am certain the fishing community and others share similar concerns. The fishermen's fear that the project would affect their source of livelihood is understandable.
As Meor Razak of Sahabat Alam Malaysia puts it: "Although the company was given the land to carry out its prawn project, the company should respect the mangrove conservation efforts."
Have the people forgotten how important mangrove forests are to us?
After the 2004 tsunami, there has been a heightened sense of awareness on the importance of mangroves, especially in the Kerian area, one of the coastal areas in the state to be hit.
Several studies found that mangrove forests have a protective role in the event of a tsunami. In one of the studies, researchers described mangroves as live sea walls that were more effective than concrete structures.
In India, mangrove forests are worshipped. The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources has allocated substantial funds to replant much of the affected coastal zones with mangroves following typhoon Haiyan.
Isn't it strange for us to be clearing the mangrove forests for development when countries around the world are replanting them?
The country's lawmakers should be cautious when approving projects in future, especially if it concerns the environment.
If possible, feedback from people living around the project site should be taken into consideration. In this case, the fishing community or even environmentalists should have been consulted first.
It is pointless to cry over spilt milk when damage has been done. More importantly, areas like these should be gazetted to protect them from development.
The people of Perak should be proud that the Matang mangrove forest, at more than 40,000ha, is recognised as the best managed sustainable mangrove ecosystem in the world.
Everyone has a role to play to ensure it remains this way for a long time. It is our responsibility to ensure we can pass this treasure to the next generation.
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