Implikasi aktiviti perlombongan pasir sungai terhadap persekitaran dan sosioekonomi masyarakat setempat di mukim Durian Sebatang, Teluk Intan, Perak

Abstract

River sand mining activities are becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia due to the high demand in the construction industry. This activity attracts sand operators to be active in this sector given that the lucrative return on income due to the high market price of sand sales. Indirectly, this activity provides high income to the Perak State government in particular. Even so, there are some studies that find the findings from different views. Thus, this study is conducted to identify the implications of Sungai Perak sand mining activities to the environment and socio-economy of the local community in Mukim Durian Sebatang, Teluk Intan. This study also identifies proposed improvisations for the control and monitoring of Sungai Perak sand mining activities. The method of data collection is through interviews of respondents among the residents government department officials as well as the distribution of questionnaires to respondents among the residents of Kampung Durian Sebatang and Kampung Terengganu in Mukim Durian Sebatang, Teluk Intan. The findings of this study are obtained through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. The results show that there are three main categories of implications that have been detected, namely positive implications, negative implications for the environment and negative implications for the socio-economy of the local community. The findings of the study show that the positive implications of mining activities are to help the country's economic growth, increase the revenue of the State Government, smoothen the flow of rivers and provide employment opportunities to the locals. As for the negative implications towards the environment, it is related to river pollution, cliff erosion, disturbances of aquatic ecosystems as well as the occurrence of floods following due to the uncontrolled activities. While the negative impact on the socio-economy of the local community includes the income of river fishermen, the production of caged fish and lobster, the safety of river fishermen, ecotourism activities as well as the income of boat renters. There are three categories of suggested improvisations highlighted in this study, namely the standardization of guidelines and regulations related to river sand mining, the strengthening of monitoring methods on river sand mining operations as well as the implementation of inventory research and zoning of all activities along the Perak River. This proposal demands the commitment of all parties involved to ensure that river sand mining activities are implemented in accordance with the guidelines and regulations in force. All in all, the findings of this study can be used as an important source of reference to the relevant parties in controlling the sand mining activities of Sungai Perak in the best way.