KUALA LUMPUR: The alarming rate of tree-felling and forest-clearing activities at the Bukit Kiara recreational park is causing concern to nearby residents and various NGOs. The groups want the National Landscape Department (JLN) to issue an immediate

Monday July 9, 2012

Issue stop-work order to contractors in Bukit Kiara, dept told

By VIJENTHI NAIR 
vijenthi@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The alarming rate of tree-felling and forest-clearing activities at the Bukit Kiara recreational park is causing concern to nearby residents and various NGOs.

The groups want the National Landscape Department (JLN) to issue an immediate stop-work order to the contractors involved.

Malaysian Nature Society president Prof Dr Maketab Mohamed claimed that the contractors had cut, cleared or burned a 4.7km swath of the forest, while six lots had been cordoned off with a 3.5m-high fencing deep inside the park.

Trail of destruction: The bike trail has been affected by the ongoing works in the park.

He added that the fence, which is part of a demarcation plan to improve security for park visitors, would prevent movement of wildlife.

"Hundreds of large trees have already been felled and several hectares of earth have been laid bare during the construction of the roads and the fence.

"An estimated 3,000 mature trees would have been destroyed for building the fence and roads on about 2.8ha of forest," he said yesterday.

Dr Maketab said no consultation was made with stakeholders and conservation NGOs before the fencing was put up.

He said that during a detailed briefing by JLN with the NGOs on the proposed preservation of Bukit Kiara and the fencing on May 15, it was agreed that more frequent discussions were needed so that the groups would be kept informed of the work as well as to present their views on the ongoing works and future plans for the reserve.

"We want JLN to consult the local community representatives as promised before proceeding with any development," he added.

Selangor Malaysian Nature Society chairman Henry Goh said about 3,000 people visit Bukit Kiara daily to exercise, while the number doubles on weekends.

Goh said NGO Friends of Bukit Kiara had been organising several programmes to raise awareness on the last green lung in the Klang Valley.

Among them are the "Awareness Walk" on July 15, while 6,000 signatures have been collected and 1,000 "Save Bukit Kiara" T-shirts have been sold.

"The signatures will be given to Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung or his representative if the event goes to plan. We are applying a permit for the programme and hope that it will be approved," he said.