ECRL developers to build underground tunnels to preserve biodiversity

KUALA LUMPUR: Developers involved in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) are required to construct underground tunnels on routes crossing forest reserves to preserve the biodiversity in the affected areas.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, in a written reply at the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday, said eight tunnels stretching 39.3km would be built to prevent disturbances to the forest reserves.

It said the proposed ECRL project would involve 357ha of Permanent Forest Reserves in Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor.

“The results of a survey conducted in the forest reserve along the proposed ECRL routes revealed that wildlife such as tigers, elephants, sun bears, tapir and wild buffalo inhabit these forest areas. Among the effects of the ECRL’s project construction on wildlife in the affected areas are habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflicts, poaching and wildlife violations.

“Project implementation should take into account wildlife sensitive areas and ensure the three links that connect Central Forest Spine are not affected to avoid drastic impact and conflicts on wildlife habitat along the line,” said the ministry.

This was in reply to a question by Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali (Barisan NasionalBagan Serai) on the impact of the ECRL project development on the biodiversity in the forest reserves.

It said the wildlife crossing, such as the overpass and underpass, would be constructed.

“The developer is required to install a fence or wall along the 600.3km line to ensure wildlife do not enter the platform that may cause collision,” it said.

The ministry also made it compulsory to have a Wildlife Mitigation Plan in the Environmental Impact Assessment to detect the presence of wildlife species in the affected areas while mitigation programmes needed to be conducted to minimise negative impacts on the wildlife and local community.