Habitat loss fuelling rise in human-wildlife conflicts

New Straits Times

2 days ago

GUA MUSANG: The shrinking of wildlife habitats is a major contributor to the rising number of human-wildlife conflicts in this district, with several incidents causing injuries among villagers.
Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim said the issue, especially in Orang Asli settlements in the interior, had become increasingly worrying.
"One of the main causes is uncontrolled logging and agricultural activities that encroach on forest areas," he said when contacted.
"This conflict involves not just elephants entering villages, but also tigers attacking livestock and bears roaming through settlements.
"We need a serious investigation into the root cause. However, it cannot be denied that unregulated logging and encroachment into wildlife habitats are major factors.
"When the forests where these animals live continue to shrink, they have no choice but to enter human settlements in search of food and shelter," he said.
Syahbuddin called on authorities to review the issuance of logging permits and establish buffer zones to protect villages from wildlife intrusion.
Syahbuddin said he would continue to raise the issue to ensure concrete measures are taken before more lives and property are threatened.
"Money can be given, but without monitoring and enforcement, it is the people who will suffer the consequences. Elephants don't enter villages because they want to, but because their forests have been invaded.
"Development must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability. I will continue to speak out for the people of Gua Musang to ensure our forest heritage is not lost to short-term greed," he added.
Meanwhile, Kelantan Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said continuous monitoring and advisory services were being provided to residents affected by human-wildlife conflicts.
Mohamad Hafid added that immediate action was taken in areas where elephants, bears, and tigers were reported to have disturbed or entered villages.
"We advise the public not to provoke wild animals if they encounter them, as this could aggravate the situation. Prioritise your safety.
"For every complaint we receive, our officers will go on-site to carry out inspections and monitoring," he said.
This month alone, the media reported a tiger attack on livestock in Rancangan Kemajuan Tanah (RKT) Kesedar Meranto, which caused nearly RM300,000 in losses, and wild elephants were spotted at Sekolah Kebangsaan Chalil.
On Monday, a plantation supervisor at Felda Aring 11 was reportedly attacked by an elephant.
In another case, Orang Asli villagers were forced to take turns staying up at night to guard their homes against wild elephants.