KUALA LUMPUR – The glut in the housing market, environmental concerns and constant water shortages are among the reasons behind a petition urging the Selangor government to reverse the degazettement of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR).
At the time of writing, the petition on Change.org has garnered more than 47,000 signatures.
“You are well aware that congestion, air pollution, and water shortages are serious problems that daily affect the quality of life of residents in this already-overdeveloped state.
“Now more than ever, we need the support of our natural forests for our physical and mental health,” the petition read.
Additionally, it was pointed out in the petition that KLNFR serves as a home to the Temuan Orang Asli tribe, who have lived in the forest for centuries.
Further, as for fauna, KLNFR is an ecosystem that hosts Malayan sun bears, the Selangor pygmy flying squirrel and the Langat red fighting fish, the petition adds.
“The financial rewards reaped from destroying the forest will benefit only a few people; the life support system that will be sustained by protecting the forest reserve will benefit everyone, including your own children and grandchildren.
“We, therefore, urge the menteri besar of Selangor to scrap the proposed Kuala Langat development project immediately and irrevocably.”
On Monday, state exco Hee Loy Sian had informed the state assembly that 50% of the KLNFR had already been degazetted since May.
However, in view of the objections to the proposal, only 536ha of the 991ha forest were de-gazetted, he said, adding that the affected areas will be compensated by the gazettement of land in three other areas. – The Vibes, September 2, 2021
Petition to save KLNFR amasses almost 50,000 signatures
Congestion, air pollution, water shortages among reasons cited for need to preserve site
Updated 5 years ago · Published on 02 Sep 2021 9:08PM
