PETALING JAYA – Forest monitoring group Rimba Disclosure Project (RDP) has questioned the continued deforestation in the Selangor State Park after the state government reportedly took action against a developer for violating procedures.
In tweets earlier this month, RDP said the size of forest clearings in the Hulu Gombak and the Serendah forest reserves had grown between January and February, based on satellite imagery.
The forest clearing has increased since last month. pic.twitter.com/8XWrymIbyi
— RimbaWatch (@RimbaWatch) March 1, 2023
In the graphics posted via Twitter, RDP said the satellite images of Hulu Gombak on February 14 showed that about 2ha of forest had been clear-felled.
Meanwhile, about 5.1ha had been cleared at the Serendah Forest Reserve, based on satellite imagery from February 14, RDP said.
Another image showed that 10.4ha had been cleared at the border of this forest reserve, it noted.
On February 2, The Vibes reported on the clearings identified by RDP in Selangor’s forest reserves for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari subsequently said that the developer, China Communications Construction Company Sdn Bhd (CCCC), did not have approval to commence forest clearing, although it had a “use permit” for the project.
The menteri besar’s press secretary Jay Jay Denis then explained that the permit for the project and approval to commence forest clearing are separate issues, and that CCCC had to apply to the Forestry Department to notify them that they would be starting work.
“This is so that the department can send personnel to the site to ensure that correct parts of the forests are being carved out,” Denis told The Vibes.
Applications submitted, says developer
In response to RDP’s latest claims of more forest clearing, a CCCC spokesman said that the company ensures that it submits the necessary applications to authorities before embarking on any project.
“Whatever it is, we submit (our applications) to the government, so I don’t understand why (RDP) says we haven’t submitted anything.
“If there are any issues, we just wait for the government to make a statement,” the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, The Vibes also queried the state government over CCCC’s response and confirmed the company’s stance.
Selangor environment executive councillor Hee Loy Sian said: “This is considered (an) old issue.” He subsequently referred to an old press statement dated February 4.
The statement highlighted that, according to checks with the Selangor Forestry Department, the land clearing is indeed part of the ECRL project.
The state government also said that the ECRL project is necessary to serve the people’s needs, adding that its implementation must comply with all stipulated regulations.
“The Selangor Forestry Department issued permission for the ECRL project in a reserve forest area in July 2022.
“Until today, (the progress of) the ECRL project in the Selangor State Park is heavily controlled to ensure compliance with regulations,” the statement said. – The Vibes, March 15, 2023
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