The government has been urged to carry out a more comprehensive study of a project to rear sturgeons in Jerantut, Pahang, due to fears it may affect the environment and residents.
 
This was expressed by the residents during a dialogue between Jerantut Member of Parliament Ahmad Nazlan Idris and officers from numerous departments in Pahang such as the Fisheries Department, Tourism Development Board, Department of Environment, Forestry and Economic Planning Unit.
    
Ahmad Nazlan said a careful study was necessary because the residents claimed the project in Sungai Tabung, Kuala Tahan, on a 13.8ha site, was located on the National Park buffer zone and close to Sungai Tembeling.
    
"The area and the route to the site of the project passes the water supply project area of the residents and involves the river. The residents fear that the project will result in the destruction of the environment especially the flora and fauna which are loved by tourists," he said.
    
He said the project would thwart tourist arrivals to the National Park and affect the livelihood of 800 local people whose income depended on the tourism industry.
 
- Bernama