EIA TLC Plantation Kelantan

Kosmo Unik Sdn Bhd

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

NEGATIVE RESIDUAL IMPACTS

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.

This residual impact can be considered as insignificant and localized as mitigation

measures were proposed. The logged area will be planted with rubber tree species hybrid
(Hevea brasiliensis) and smaller vegetation will slowly recover back to its state quo, with
changes in future established biodiversity system.

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EIA TLC Plantation Kelantan

8.2.2

Kosmo Unik Sdn Bhd

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.

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EIA TLC Plantation Kelantan

Kosmo Unik Sdn Bhd

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.

8.2.5 Water Quality Degradation

It is clear that pre-land clearing and land clearing operation will enhance the chances of
streams siltation and sedimentation. Although mitigation measures were provided,
unexpected event may occur which causes the exposed soil (sand and silt) to be flushed
into nearby receiving stream or river. This will increase the total suspended solid (TSS)
content in river, thus causing turbidity and cloudiness in the river. However, its impact is
localized and minimal as sediment and silt will settle down after some time. Project
proponent will also take immediate actions such as de-silting and removal of sediment in
river back to its natural state especially regarding the depth of stream beds.

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.

8.2.6 Accidents Involving Community Members

It is highly probably that accidents involving local community members will occur at
some point in the proposed project activities. The most likely accident to occur is usually
traffic related but there are other potential accidents such as fire. Any accident that harms
a person will have a medium significance residual impact in terms of diminishing quality
of life for the person; negatively impacting them or their household livelihood; and
potentially creating hostility towards the project.
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EIA TLC Plantation Kelantan

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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

POSITIVE RESIDUAL IMPACTS

8.3.1

Socio - Economic Benefit

Residual socio-economic benefits at the local level are predicted to be as follows:

Limited direct and indirect employment creation.

Employee will directly benefit from secure income and will gain skills and experience
that may help them in seeking other employment. Local settlements will further
benefit from the money spent by work force.

Enhanced local experience and employability

There will be benefits in terms of additional experience and skills gained by
operational workers, resulting in an enhancement of future employment prospects.
This applies to all workers with the greatest significance for those participating in
skills development program and for skilled workers that are employed for longer
periods. The potential benefits from these enhanced skills are however related to the
ability of the workers to find other land clearing jobs where their experience is valued.
Office based workers are likely to have enhanced employment prospect as well as they
will gain suitable skill for position in different industries.

Improvements to infrastructure and service position

Benefits for local settlements will be realized should the proposed project be
successful in linking project infrastructure needs into existing infrastructure and
service plans (eg. road upgrades, waste management, etc), thus resulting in long term
benefit for local residents.

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