(Ahmad et al. 2014). Besides these factors, deforestation interferes with the soil,
causing making it lose its holding capacity during heavy rainfalls, again leading to
landslides (Vasantha and Bhagavanulu 2008). Development is another trend that
increases landslide occurrence in Malaysia’s hilly areas. Over the last 50 years, this
development in mountainous centers has generated rapid expansion of areas that
have been built-up, usually developed with poor urban planning and inadequate
territorial infrastructure (Pellicani et al. 2013). Furthermore, new construction in
hillslope areas is unstable (Aksoy and Kavvas 2005); this added to the absence of
trees to hold soil after deforestation results in decreased shear strength and subsequent landslide. In the case of heavy rain, the soil particles themselves are affected
by shear stress, which also increases the chances for landslide. This is according to
landslide expert Satish Thigale (Min 2015).
11.3.9 Mining Activities
Based on Tse (2011), the Mineral Industry of Malaysia states that Malaysia has
identified several categories of mineral resources such as bauxite, coal, gold, iron
ore, petroleum, silver, tin, clays, copper, natural gas, monazite, limestone, silica,
zircon and tantalum. Whether small or large in scale, mining operations are inherently disruptive to the environment, producing enormous quantities of waste that can
have deleterious impact for decades (see Chap. 2, Sects. 2.3.1.2 and 2.3.2.3).
Environmental deterioration caused by mining occurs mainly as a result of inappropriate and wasteful work practices and rehabilitation measures. Mining has a several
activities that potentially adversely impact the natural environment, society and
cultural heritage, as well as impacting communities close to mining operations
(see Chap. 2, Sect. 2.1). Mining activities may negatively impact commercial
and/or non-commercial living resources in the mining locale (see also Chap. 2,
Sect. 2.3.1.2). Mining activities can cause erosion, pollute water sources, destroy
riverine vegetation and deplete supported origin woodland habitats. According to
Sonter et al. (2018), mining poses serious and highly specific threats to biodiversity.
However, mining can also be a means for financing alternative livelihood paths that,
over the long-term, may prevent biodiversity loss.
11.4 Research Method
The purpose of conducting this study is to investigate the causes, effects and possible
risk management steps in the deforestation issues in Malaysia. The research is based
on a site survey aimed at collecting all necessary information in an effective manner.
The survey offered questions on the causes and effects of deforestation (categories
based on collected relevant research, review and revision by the participants in the
initial pilot questionnaires. The questionnaire included three parts: the first section
11 Deforestation in Malaysia: The Current Practice and the Way Forward
183
causing making it lose its holding capacity during heavy rainfalls, again leading to
landslides (Vasantha and Bhagavanulu 2008). Development is another trend that
increases landslide occurrence in Malaysia’s hilly areas. Over the last 50 years, this
development in mountainous centers has generated rapid expansion of areas that
have been built-up, usually developed with poor urban planning and inadequate
territorial infrastructure (Pellicani et al. 2013). Furthermore, new construction in
hillslope areas is unstable (Aksoy and Kavvas 2005); this added to the absence of
trees to hold soil after deforestation results in decreased shear strength and subsequent landslide. In the case of heavy rain, the soil particles themselves are affected
by shear stress, which also increases the chances for landslide. This is according to
landslide expert Satish Thigale (Min 2015).
11.3.9 Mining Activities
Based on Tse (2011), the Mineral Industry of Malaysia states that Malaysia has
identified several categories of mineral resources such as bauxite, coal, gold, iron
ore, petroleum, silver, tin, clays, copper, natural gas, monazite, limestone, silica,
zircon and tantalum. Whether small or large in scale, mining operations are inherently disruptive to the environment, producing enormous quantities of waste that can
have deleterious impact for decades (see Chap. 2, Sects. 2.3.1.2 and 2.3.2.3).
Environmental deterioration caused by mining occurs mainly as a result of inappropriate and wasteful work practices and rehabilitation measures. Mining has a several
activities that potentially adversely impact the natural environment, society and
cultural heritage, as well as impacting communities close to mining operations
(see Chap. 2, Sect. 2.1). Mining activities may negatively impact commercial
and/or non-commercial living resources in the mining locale (see also Chap. 2,
Sect. 2.3.1.2). Mining activities can cause erosion, pollute water sources, destroy
riverine vegetation and deplete supported origin woodland habitats. According to
Sonter et al. (2018), mining poses serious and highly specific threats to biodiversity.
However, mining can also be a means for financing alternative livelihood paths that,
over the long-term, may prevent biodiversity loss.
11.4 Research Method
The purpose of conducting this study is to investigate the causes, effects and possible
risk management steps in the deforestation issues in Malaysia. The research is based
on a site survey aimed at collecting all necessary information in an effective manner.
The survey offered questions on the causes and effects of deforestation (categories
based on collected relevant research, review and revision by the participants in the
initial pilot questionnaires. The questionnaire included three parts: the first section
11 Deforestation in Malaysia: The Current Practice and the Way Forward
183