‘End Penang sand mining’
GEORGE TOWN: Coastal pollution caused by sand mining has brought misery to residents in Kampung Nelayan here.
The residents are upset after tonnes of sand were extracted from the river mouths of Sungai Kecil and Sungai Krian in Tanjung Bungah, causing siltation along 200m of the beachfront.
A check at the site yesterday revealed that there was a barge nearby.
It was there to dredge sand for a beach reclamation project elsewhere, which had received the approval of the state Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID).
Freelance human resource consultant Mohd Danial Abdullah, 51, who lives nearby, said the siltation had worsened since mining activities started in June.
“Lumps of mud are deposited on the beach and the pollution has taken a toll on our lives. We are miserable.
“The ground is a mess and has become an eyesore. There are holes and hardened silts that look like small rocks.
“Gone are the days when my family could walk to the beach.
“The sand mining project has defaced the beach,” he said yesterday.
Danial’s wife, Rosita Ahmad, 46, said the noise from heavy machinery, which operated round the clock, disrupted residents’ sleep.
Fisherman Faizal Mohd Yusoff, 39, called on DID to scrap the project for the safety of the 50-odd residents.
“The sand mining must stop. The siltation has affected out daily catch,” Faizal said.
Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu and DID northeast district engineer Haslinda Mohd Hamran visited the site yesterday to hear the residents’ complaints and concerns.
Haslinda said the purpose of sand mining was to supply sand to a beach reclamation project in Batu Ferringhi.
“The project contractor will wrap up the sand mining by the end of this month.
“The safety of residents is our priority and we will speed up the project with minimal impact on the environment.”
Haslinda said DID would carry out remedial work to beautify the beach once the sand mining was completed.