August 18, 2009
Timber debris won't be burnt inside Bakun reservoir: Developer
BAKUN: The burning of timber waste in Bakun will only be done along the 100km fringe of the dam’s reservoir, not inside the reservoir proper, according to Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd.
“We have no choice but to burn the debris because there is a danger that it may be washed into the river and sucked into the turbines of the power-generation plant,” the dam’s developer said.
It was commenting on The Star’s report that environmentalists were concerned that the burning of timber waste might spark an environmental crisis.
The developer said it had explained to Bakun folk chief Pemanca Umek Jeno the reason for burning the timber waste.
“The developer has assured us that there will be no environmental crisis. The burning will not be done inside reservoir area but only along the fringe,” Umek said.
“It has hired 400 of our folks to carry out the clearing and the burning because we know the area well,” he said.
Umek added that the burning would only be carried out during clear weather when the air pollutant index was low.
“Not all the logs will be burned. We will salvage some for our own use,” he said.
The dam reservoir measures 145km from one end to the other and is about 6km wide.
Umek also said that Sarawak Hidro had formed a company for the Bakun natives so that they could get involved in trading, services and support industries once the dam was commissioned.
He added that the Natural Resources and Environment Board NREB had given a permit for the burning to be carried out in Bakun, but under strict control and over a few months.
Ulu Rejang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo said Tuesday Sarawak Hidro had explained the situation to him.
“There is a need to get rid of the timber debris properly, but the burning will be done in a controlled manner,” he said.
Meanwhile, NREB environmental quality controller Dr Penguang Manggil said at a press conference that the state government had decided to direct Sarawak Hidro to carry out complete biomass removal for selected areas.
“They are along the 100km fringe within the 15km radius of the Bakun dam, between elevation 180m and 228m, and on slopes more than 30 degrees, covering an area of 455ha in nine parcels,” he said.
He added that open burning ought to be done in stages.
