SHAH ALAM: The Bukit Cerakah forest, which is allegedly being ‘explored’ for the purpose of development, is not within the permanent forest reserve area.
State Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs executive councillor Hee Loy Sian said checks conducted by the Selangor Forestry Department revealed that the area does not come under its supervision.
Hee added that the state Forestry Department had received a complaint which claimed that the area involved comes under the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia.
“The state Forestry Department had directed the Selangor Tengah district forestry officer to carry out field checks on June 19 and 20 at the said location as well as on the state’s forestry information system.
“The state Forestry Department has confirmed that the area pointed out by the complainant is out of the permanent forest reserve area. It does not come under the supervision of the state Forestry Department,” Hee told the NSTP today.
Hee added that the closest permanent forest reserve to the alleged location is the Bukit Cerakah forest reserve, which is situated some 450 metres away.
“On June 20, the state Forestry Department had met with residents at the said area and gave a further explanation on the status of the area.
“Many residents had voiced their dissatisfaction towards works that are being carried out by certain quarters in the area,” he added.
Hee said among the concerns were that no information was channelled to the residents in the housing area, the dubious approval of the development project as well as the environment impact assessment (EIA) evaluation.
He added that he was informed by the state Foresty Department that it will continue monitoring and initiate investigations into the approval of the development which involves the Bukit Cerakah area as claimed by the residents.
The New Straits Times had reported that Bukit Bayu residents and the local community in the area have expressed their concerns over the exploration of the Bukit Cerakah forest area, apart from being dumbfounded by the reasons given by certain quarters to carry out the development project.
It is understood that the issue came to light when a company had placed cones along the way leading up to the forest area and several explosions were heard.
The situation had forced the public, including hikers wanting to enter the forest’s tracks, from going into the area while there are also worries on the disruption of the environmental ecological system and the wildlife there.
Residents have also claimed that they are still confused with what is happening as there are no sign boards erected that indicates detailed information of the development, including the owner of the land.