PUTRAJAYA – The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry (KeTSA) will assist in the restoration of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR), said its minister, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
He said the ministry welcomes the Selangor government’s decision to stop the proposed development of a 536.7ha site in the KLNFR, which was degazetted recently, and its move to re-gazette the area as a permanent forest reserve.
Takiyuddin said the ministry has instructed the Forestry, and Minerals and Geoscience Departments to assist the Selangor government in preserving and restoring the KLNFR land.
“The KLNFR area is a peat swamp forest... (this cooperation) is to ensure its function in maintaining the ecosystem is preserved, as well as to prevent fires,” he said in a statement today.
On September 8, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that only 42ha of the 536.7ha of KLNFR area would remain degazetted.
Amirudin said the move is to facilitate ownership to Kg Orang Asli Busut Baru to resolve issues that had been pending since 2006 following their relocation from their original settlement in 1994 to make way for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Takiyuddin said the ministry welcomes the involvement of all parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the local community, to restore the KLNFR.
The ministry, he said, also welcomes the Selangor government’s decision to maintain the status of a 579.64ha replacement area as permanent forest reserves, covering the Sg Panjang Forest Reserve, Buloh Telor Barat Forest Reserve, Buloh Telor Timur Forest Reserve and Broga Forest Reserve.
“This is in line with the Malaysian government’s intention to ensure that at least 50% of the country’s land area is covered by forest.” – Bernama, September 15, 2021
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