by AK MD KHAIRUDDIN PG HARUN

GOVERNMENT agencies were found damaging peatlands in Belait to make way for development and farmland, according to a study by Malaysian consultant Global Environment Centre.

The report found that there had been illegal construction of drains and access road to forested areas at Jalan Rasau Bypass and Badas, said Chief Executive Officer of Heart of Borneo Centre Mahmud Yussof.

Speaking to The Brunei Times in a phone interview yesterday, he said the study found government agencies not conducting an environmental impact assessment before clearing the land.

The report, titled ‘Peatland Management in Belait/Seria Peatlands’, did not name the government agencies that were found damaging the peatlands.

Mahmud said the report was presented during the Sustainable Management of Peatland Forests in Southeast Asia and ASEAN Peatland Forests Project on Oct 22.

He said the report should prompt government agencies to conduct preliminary analysis before making a decision to proceed with a construction project.

He went on to say that peat forest fires are mostly man-made.

“Human intervention on the environment such as clearing the forest for agriculture using fire is the root cause of forest fires,” he said. “Peat fire can never start by itself because peat swamp forests are wet and soaky,” added Mahmud.

He said unattended camp fires and arson are the main causes of peatland fires in Belait and Seria.

Burning peat swamp on temporary occupation licence (TOL) land by irresponsible farmers can also contribute to fire, said Mahmud, adding that this method is the most affordable in clearing land for agricultural purposes.

The CEO said burning trees on peatlands reduce the nutritional quality and moisture-holding capacity of forest soils.

“Although burning of peat forest is the cheapest method to clear land, the soil nutrients will be lost,” said Mahmud.

“In agriculture, leaching can occur as burning of peat forest can lead to the loss of water-soluble plant nutrients from the soil due to rain and irrigation,” he added.

He went on to say that forest conservation is important as Brunei aims to promote eco-tourism.

“If the forests in Brunei are not protected and the forests along the Seria Bypass continue to be an eyesore, this will reflect a bad impression on Brunei,” said Mahmud.

The report also found that the frequency and severity of fires along the Seria Bypass have been increasing and have had a significant impact on the environment in Brunei.

The report added that fires appear not to be deliberately set for land clearing but may be caused by camp fires or discarded cigarettes by fishermen, road users or other people in fire-prone areas.

There is fragmented jurisdiction for peatland management with separate agencies being responsible for land, forests, roads, mining, rivers, drains, water management and the environment, the report added.

It recommended protecting the remaining peatland forest in the conservation zone south of the Seria Bypass, and isolating the proposed industrial zone at the western end of the Seria Bypass from the remaining forest areas.

The Brunei Times