FWD: Environmental groups express shock and dismay

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This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)

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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/9/6/nation/8829879 & sec=nation

 

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Monday September 6, 2004

Environmental groups express shock and dismay

 

 

PETALING JAYA: Environmental groups have expressed shock and dismay that the

marina project in Pulau Tioman & #039;s marine park was approved despite it being

a protected area.

 

WWF-Malaysia national programme director Dr Dionysius Sharma said it was in the

spirit of the law for the Marine Park Department to stand firm to disallow any

threat to the country & #039;s 38 marine parks.

 

Sharma said the government should reassess the legislation to ensure that

states do not have the final say for projects, which have a direct and adverse

impact on protected areas.

 

& #147;Such matters should be brought to the Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Council which is chaired by our Prime Minister for decisions and not be left to

the state to decide, & #148; he added.

 

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry parliamentary secretary Sazmi Miah

said he hoped the Pahang state government, which approved the project, would

reconsider carrying on with the project.

 

& #147;We do not want this project to set a precedent for any future proposals

over marine parks in the country.

 

& #147;Officers will be sent today to Tioman to monitor the project and ensure

that contractors will adhere to all the guidelines set to minimise their impact

on the environment, & #148; he said.

 

Malaysian Nature Society marine co-ordinator Saras Suresh Kumar said the

environmental impact assessment for the project was approved without the

appropriate considerations of & #147;all local stakeholders & #148; and assessment

by independent bodies.

 

& #147;There is more loss than gain from the socio-economic point of view if the

marina were to be built, & #039; & #039; she said.

 

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