Nabawan folks blame river pollution on logging
Published on: Sunday, March 17, 2024
By: Marutin Ansiung
Workers’ kongsi near Panawan River.
NABAWAN: Villagers in several villages in Mukim Sepulut, especially those who live by the riverside, claimed that logging in Kampung Sungoi Mayo near the Panawan River caused river pollution.
Among the villages involved are Kampung Sinsingon, Kampung Kalapakon, Kampung Panawan, Kampung Padang, Kampung Manduluh and Kampung Tandilan.
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The villagers’ spokesperson, Aleh Palanok, claimed that active logging was carried out by the riverside, which has been the water source for the residents.
He said most villagers who live nearby use water from the river for daily needs, such as bathing, washing clothes, and even cooking, during the dry season as the gravity water source had dried up.
At this time, he explained, the residents had to use the murky river water because there was no other option.
Aleh
“When the logging company carries out logging on the banks of this river, it will cause the water to become cloudy even though the dry season is almost three months,” he said.
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According to Aleh, he and some villagers had visited the logging area and found workers’ quarters by the river, which they feared polluted the river.
Therefore, he said, the residents want this logging operation to be stopped so that the pollution of the river does not continue.
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“The villagers also asked the Sabah Forestry Department and the Environment Department (DOE) to monitor the logging area to ensure that it complies with the law,” he said.
He said if it violates the law, action should be taken against the company.
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