KUALA LUMPUR, 26 JUNE 2023 – Reef Check Malaysia is deeply concerned about the long term damage to biodiversity that will result from construction of the proposed new airport on Tioman Island.

“At a time when the international community is starting to realise the implications of biodiversity loss, we are worried that the long term effect on the island’s natural resources – and community – will be substantial”, said Julian Hyde, General Manager of Reef Check Malaysia.

The main attraction of Tioman Island is its natural environment such as its coral reefs and white sandy beaches, as well as untouched rainforest. These ecosystems are home to endemic and endangered species, an important part of the island’s biodiversity.

The proposed new Tioman Airport will be built on 460.50 acres, of which 76% will be on reclaimed land. The project’s components include land reclamation, quarrying, construction of revetments and hill cutting, as well as site work and preparation.

Photo courtesy of Juara Turtle Project

“Obviously there will be damage to ecosystems in the immediate vicinity of the site – not to mention the economic losses to businesses in the two villages adjacent to the project site. The EIA is clear about this. So there is going to be some loss of biodiversity”, Hyde says.

“But it goes further than that. Tioman currently receives around 250,000 visitors per year. Averaging that out over a 10-month season (with 2 months off for monsoon), that’s about 830 people per day. During busy periods rooms are hard to get; there are problems with water and electricity supply, and the incinerator struggles to deal with the load.

“The EIA suggests that up to 20 flights per day will operate at the new airport, with a capacity of up to 2,500 people. Three times the current volume. Where will they stay? How will they get there? How will that increase in waste and sewage be managed? What about water supply? The answers to these questions have important implications for the island’s biodiversity.”

The previous plan to build a new airport on Tioman was rejected as environmental impact assessment studies showed that the project would severely damage the environment through land reclamation and other activities.

Hyde says: “In terms of advancing the policy to develop the tourism sector, and the state’s development policy, a better management approach would consider protecting the islands natural assets, because what tourism means when we talk about Tioman island is its beautiful natural resources. Developing tourism cannot exclude the protection of the natural environment.”

“A more detailed study is needed to better understand the impact of more tourists. This should include not just the immediate physical impact at the site, but how a four-fold increase in visitors will affect both the island’s biodiversity and its community.”

For more information on Reef Check Malaysia, you may visit them on their website, Facebook and Instagram or contact them at hello@reefcheck.org.my.

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