SHAH ALAM, Dec 21: Apart from reiterating their calls of the past — to save the remaining green lungs in the Klang Valley in the interest of the environment and the people’s well being — environmentalists have also raised several other questions on the Selangor state government’s proposed plan to develop 68 hectares of land near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Puchong, near here.
Earlier this week, the Selangor Forestry Department, defending its development plan, stated that the area was no longer a permanent forest reserve and that it had been degazetted. Records show that the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve was degazetted in 1926.
“We did not have the threat of climate change back then, and neither did we talk about carbon credits nor pledged any commitment to bring down carbon emissions. We now have these in our hands. We have already lost a lot of our rainforests and in urban areas, deforestation has been cited as a factor for devastating floods,” said one environmentalist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“So why develop what is still a naturally forested area that would offer so much in terms of climate resilience, oxygen and ecosystems that will be forever lost once encroached,” he asked.
Scientist Lim Teck Wyn meanwhile raised concerns on developing the land, saying it was a steep area and “not appropriate for housing development.”
Then there is the question on how and when the land was approved for development. The Selangor government needs to clarify this, he said.
“And there is the question of replacing the lost tree cover.
“There is also the angle of financial accountability. How much did the state receive when the land was given out? Was there an open tender?” Teckwyn asked.
If the land, under the Kinrara state constituency, was given to Menteri Besar Incorporated, then there is a conflict of interest, he added.
Naturalist, Andrew Sebastian, meanwhile urged the state government to heed the call to retain the remaining green lungs in urban areas.
“Every city, every urban area, townships severely need green lungs. There is a lack of green lungs in our cities to balance between sustainable development and our wellbeing.
Kinrara is one of the last remaining tracks of forest and all forests have to be protected.
“This would be in line with the government’s recent call — to say that it will not even allow any more further plantations in forested areas – and (hence) it is in line with the same policy that they have just announced.
“So the MADANI government should lead and heed the call where we have to protect our forest, which is now less than 50 percent.”
The reasons to protect the forests remain the same, he said, citing their roles in carbon capture, flood mitigation, prevention of soil erosion, climate change mitigation, as habitat for wildlife and biodiversity and the balance they provide in city areas.
He said it would also be “criminal’ if development goes ahead without engagement or consultations with relevant parties and without any impact assessments.
Based on the National Property Information Centre, the land of the project site PT 83355 (freehold) was sold on Aug 5th, 2019 for RM83,174,102. It covered a total land area of 6,470.80sf (138.34acres). Sale was made by Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated to Perano Properties Development Sdn Bhd.
PT 53649 – PT 53698 (Total 50 Semi-D lots – Leasehold till 21/Jul/2101) was sold on Sept 21, 2012 for RM 3,074,100. Covering a total land area of 22,748.20sf (5.11 acres), the sale was made by Selangor State Government Secretariat to Perano Properties Development Sdn Bhd.
Another batch of lots PT 53912 – PT 54002 (Total 90 Bungalow lots – Leasehold till 21/Jul/2101) was sold on 21 Sept, 2012 for RM 8,446,702 by Selangor State Government Secretariat to Perano Properties Development Sdn Bhd. This covered a total land area of 612,046.15sf (14.05 acres).
The Member of Parliament for Subang, Wong Chen, has meanwhile urged the Selangor government to buy back the land and revert its status to a forest reserve.
In a Facebook posting, former Selangor state assemblyman, Ronnie Liu quoted Wong Chen as saying “No to kill the forest in Kinrara, Puchong.”
The people of Puchong have also started expressing their disappointment through various social media channels with the state for its plans to develop the area.
— WE