IPOH: Action must be taken to stop the illegal sand mining at Pasir Panjang beach in Manjung, two NGOs told Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The two NGOs are Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa).
SAM’s field researcher Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said the NGO observed this activity was still going on despite being prohibited.
“Based on the National Physical Planning document, all the turtle landing areas in Peninsular Malaysia have been categorised as Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Level 1 (KSAS Tahap 1) which cannot be used for any activity and changes made to the land use except for low-impact eco-tourism and research and education,” he said.
The coastal area from the Pasir Panjang Recreation Forest to the Pasir Pandak beach, Tanjung Hantu, recorded frequent turtle landings based on the nests discovered and eggs gathered by collectors appointed by the Fisheries Department, he added in a statement.
“I urge that the Mentri Besar and state executive councillor in charge of the land, forestry and natural resources portfolio and as chairman of the state planning committee as well as a member of the National Physical Planning Council… take action against those who defy the decision of the relevant authorities,” he said, according to Bernama.