PETALING JAYA – More than half of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve has been degazetted by the state government since May.
Malaysiakini reported that 54% of the land, or about 536.7ha of the total 991.9ha, has been degazetted, with three other parcels of land gazetted in replacement.
State Tourism, Environment and Green Technology exco Hee Loy Sian told the Selangor assembly today that the decision came about after taking into account the interest of the Orang Asli, biodiversity in the area, and other objections.
He was quoted as saying that the three new forest reserves, which total 581.8ha, are in Sg Panjang, Ampang Pecah, and Broga.
Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, however, highlighted that the assembly decided in November to not degazette the forest.
She was quoted as saying that Selangor should not sacrifice the forest reserve as the state has enough land for development.
In reply, Hee said the decision to degazette the forest reserve was a unanimous one by the state exco.
Among the objections to the degazetting was that the proposal affects the Orang Asli communities living there, as the forest is a source of livelihood for them and preserves their culture and heritage. – The Vibes, August 30, 2021
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