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CHAPTER 8
RESIDUAL IMPACTS
8.1
INTRODUCTION
Residual impacts can be considered as those that remain significant following the
application of mitigation measures, although they are likely to have been reduced in
magnitude because of the mitigation measures implemented. This proposed project is
identified to bring both positive and negative impact. The residual impacts are depicted as
such.
8.2
8.2.1
Loss of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms such as flora and fauna within a given
ecosystem or biome. Destruction or reduction of existing biodiversity on this 400 ha site is
expected as an aftermath of the land clearing activity.
Clearing and removing of existing vegetation and land clearing activities inevitably will
reduce the initial number of existing flora. The magnitude of loss is depending on the
working area of land clearing activity. Besides, on site and nearby flora that are not used
to bright sunlight will be destroyed as well since its protection layer which is the forest
canopy is ruined during the land clearing operation. In fact, forest canopy helps to prevent
direct penetration of sunlight into undergrowth. During the commissioning of proposed
project, movement of truck and machineries will also scare away the existing wildlife. In
addition, food shortages due to the loss of plants will prompt wildlife to migrate or die
from starvation.
C H A P T E R
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8.2.2
Loss of Habitat
A habitat is a place where flora and fauna use as their shelter, breeding ground and food
source. As deforestation will occur due to land clearing operation on the 400 ha forest
reserve, it is unavoidable that the flora and fauna will lose their habitat. Wildlife will cease
to inhabit the project area and the forest surrounding the project area due to the lack of
food and shelter with the disturbance by human activities.
Even if the fauna is not frightened off by human activities, they could not survive at the
proposed project site since their food source is destroyed. Fauna are then forced to migrate
to a new habitat as their territory of living is now limited. Thus, it is foreseeable that it
will cause disruption to the surrounding food chain and eventually changes the ecosystem
and biodiversity. Since the loss of its habitat, fauna will migrate and invade into other
wildlife territory. Biodiversity at new habitat is unpredictable as migrating fauna might
survive, die due to starvation or eaten up by predators.
However, this impact is unavoidable as land clearing operation is given priority to boost
the growth of micro and macro economy in the country. Project proponent will plant
mainly high yielding variety (clone) rubber trees and other valuable plants to recover and
remediate the disturbed habitat back to its status quo, though the positive effect only will
be noticed after a long period of time.
8.2.3
Noise
Noise associated with the land clearing process cannot be totally eliminated although
mitigation measures were proposed. However, its nuisance towards public is minimal and
localized since the proposed project is located deep in the forest reserve. However,
prolonged noise impact will occur in the operation of the ancillary land clearing facilities
such as storage yards, workers camp and waste disposal sites. During the planting and
post-planting operation, the noise level will be very insignificant and localized as little
machineries are needed for the operation.
C H A P T E R
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8.2.4 Dust
Dust is inevitably generated during the land clearing phase of the proposed project only,
though mitigation measures were suggested. Movement of truck and felling operation
contribute the most to the generation of unwanted dust. However, its impact is localized
and insignificant as surrounding forest acts as a filter to prevent the dust from spreading.
Besides that, erosion and sediment yield will not be an issue during the rubber tree
plantation phase as the erosion and sediment control management plan will be well
established during the land clearing phase. Anyhow, project proponent will need to pay
attention on the usage of pesticides, herbicides and other chemical agents which may
eventually affect the water quality of the receiving streams. However, the impact shall be
insignificant as long as mitigation and precaution steps are taken and enforced by the
project proponents management.
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The risk of accidents occurring will depend on the quality of implementation of the safety
training and traffic strategy particularly in relation to traffic management. However, the
focus placed by the project proponent on traffic safety suggests that serious accidents can
be avoided and are highly unlikely.
8.3
8.3.1
C H A P T E R
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