HULU KELANG – The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) raided an ecotourism operator in Taman Warisan at the foot of Bukit Tabur quartz ridge for conducting activities without any approval from the authorities yesterday.
The swift action by MPAJ was made following a report by The Vibes yesterday that visitors to the river bay of Taman Warisan, a stone’s throw away from the Klang Gates Dam, were being charged an “entrance fee” to enjoy the ecological setting at the foot of Bukit Tabur.
Several materials were seized by the enforcement officers, including the signages outlining the fees as well as billboards claiming that the river park is under the care of an operator.
For the record, the public was required to pay RM7 (adult) and RM3 (children and teenagers) as an entrance fee – and were only allowed to visit the river bay from 7am to 7pm.
A fee of RM70 was also imposed for day or overnight camping by renting the five-by-five feet spot at the riverside since last year’s movement control order.
It is learnt that the speedy action was largely due to the fact that the operator was displaying the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas), Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), MPAJ, and the Selangor government emblems on the signages without approval from the state.
However, it remains unclear whether the operator will be charged for utilising the state agencies’ and Selangor government’s emblems as part of the communication collateral to collect fees from the public.
MPAJ president Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim told The Vibes that there was no green light given to any party to set up eco-tourism ventures near the dam.
“For the record, MPAJ never issued any kind of permits or provided approval to anyone or any enterprise to impose fees to members of the public, be it individual or a group, for recreational activities or leisure near the dam,” he said.
He explained that the particular section of the area operated by a group of Kg Warisan residents, charging fees to the public for recreational and camping activities, is a riverbank protection zone under the purview of the DID.
Fauzi also clarified on the land status and the legality of the colony near the Klang Gates Dam.
“This is a state land for agriculture or farming purposes and it was granted to the old settlement estimated to have been in existence at this site for more than 50 years,” he said.
According to the operating guidelines on agricultural lands at Bukit Tabur, agro-tourism, commercial agriculture, ranch, and homestay are allowed.
“However, any of those activities as stated or (any) structure must obtain approval from the council in accordance with the guidelines and standards as well as the planning guidelines for hillsides and highlands in Selangor.
“Development around Bukit Tabur must include eco-system maintenance, pollution and disaster control, and every development or activity must be approved by Luas and the Environment Technical Sensitivity Committee, including looking into legal provisions of the National Land Code for development or activity on lands with agricultural status.
Meanwhile, Luas has released a statement that there is no record of approval for the operator to impose fees on visitors near the dam.
“Any activity within the riverbank reserve of 50m must obtain permission from Luas’ director in accordance with Section 43 of LUAS Enactment 1999 and Resource Alteration Activity (Selangor) 2013,” the statement said.
The Klang Gates Quartz Ridge at Bukit Tabur is home to the world’s longest geological quartz formation.
In September last year, images of forest clearing at Bukit Tabur riled environmentalists, hikers, and nearby residents, prompting a statement by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari that the activities were not approved.
It was reported in 2019 that quartz ridge was going to be gazetted by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry as a national heritage site under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645). – The Vibes, July 23, 2022
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