IPOH – There is no issue of awarding or extending contracts to any company to carry out fresh quarrying at Gunung Kanthan as claimed on social media recently, said Perak Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi.
She told Bernama that this is because the existing company has not submitted plans to operate at Hills C and D of the mountain to the state Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG).
“For everyone’s information, Gunung Kanthan has been approved as a quarrying area since the 1970s, in line with the land-use zone and land-use classification as stipulated in the Ipoh Local Plan 2020, gazetted on July 5, 2012.
“The quarrying area at Gunung Kanthan is divided into four, namely Hills A, B, C and D. Currently, the quarry operator is conducting controlled quarrying at Hills A and B, according to the quarry scheme approval letter by the Perak JMG, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
“The company will maintain Hill D as a conservation area, as well as assist in the conservation of flora and fauna, following a discussion with the Perak Parks Corporation on April 21, 2021.”
She said the operator has also agreed to make Hill D, where the Gua Kanthan geopark is located and known for being home to a highly endangered endemic spider species called Liphistius kanthan, a conservation area.
Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Monash University, as well as non-governmental organisations including the Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre, will work together to conduct research on the area’s existing habitats and species, she said.
On the issue of the Hulu Kinta Forest Eco Park, Nolee Ashilin said the Forestry Department is holding discussions with the relevant parties, including on privatising the park’s management.
It was reported that several environmental NGOs have urged the state government to fully commit to preserving the two abovementioned parks, as they risk being destroyed if not given immediate attention. – Bernama, June 5, 2021
