IPOH: The state Forestry Department is going to present a report on rampant illegal logging in Grik to Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu soon.
Its director, Datuk Mohamed Zin Yusof, said the report would include a two-day inspection on the ground conducted by the department since Sunday.
Last week, Faizal, who had conducted a spot check, said he was angry and disappointed that illegal logging was allowed to go on in the area.
He told Perak FM he had witnessed rampant tree felling activities during a 30-minute boat ride.
“The menteri besar made a general statement. It is difficult for the department to make a thorough review as it involves several forest reserves in Grik and Temenggor, as well as government land. But, so far, we did not detect any illegal logging activity,” Zin said today, adding that logging was allowed on some government-owned land near Pos Kemar, spanning 1,900ha.
“The logging activity was temporarily halted before due to protests by the Orang Asli community but it was continued after the licence was renewed,” he said.
But, due to ongoing protest, Zin said, the department had once again ordered the company to stop logging in the area.
He said a meeting chaired by Orang Asli Development Department director Harulnizam Abd Rahman was held on July 18 to discuss the issue, especially that of replanting rubber trees.