When wild elephants battle intrusions by agro giants

As as we infringe on the rights of our natives and the creatures of the wild, the price the nation will eventually pay will be irreversible, writes JD Lovrenciear.

The Gua Musang area in Kelantan is now seeing wild elephants going on the rampage. And why not?

And more than 300 Bateq Orang Asli in Kampung Aring 5, Gua Musang, had their piped water infrastructure destroyed by wild elephants.

We also know of giants in the agriculture sector going for timber and deforestation to plant rubber and durian in another part of Gua Musang, which is the dwelling place of the Temiar Orang Asli.

Creatures of the wild never display aggression unless they are threatened severely.

Has the Pas-led Kelantan government and its agencies that grant logging licences to private companies, allowing them to enter the native land, covering about 30,000ha, occupied by the Temiar Orang Asli in Pos Simpor near Gua Musang, got anything to do with the elephants in the wild of Gua Musang going on a rampage?

Vast areas of forest were reportedly cleared to make way for durian and rubber tree plantations.

Widespread erosion, pollution and irreparable damage to the ecology and landscape of Pos Simpor are evident.

But the powers that be will proclaim that the human economy is vital for progress and development. Little do we realise that in the long haul, as we infringe on the rights of our natives and the creatures of the wild, the price the nation will eventually pay will be irreversible.

But who cares? The government will showcase statistics to justify the conquest of the deep forests.

And when elephants go on a rampage, we will shoot to kill them?

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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