KUALA LUMPUR – Barely after the shock over the Selangor government’s controversial move to degazette biodiversity-rich Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve has abated, it is now learnt that the same fate awaits its southern counterpart.
What is certainly and additionally distressing for environmentalists and indigenous people there is that the Kuala Langat South Forest Reserve (KLSFR) is also one of the last four remaining peat swamp forests in the state.
Unlike the total forest degazettement proposed in the north, the one mooted for KLSFR will only involve a portion of its land.
“Only areas damaged by bushfires will be converted for agricultural use as part of the state’s initiative to improve food security in the state,” a source told The Vibes.
While the source did not disclose the total acreage of KLSFR that will be converted, the peat forest had, in April, lost 80ha to a bushfire that started in late March. This was in addition to the 95ha burnt last year.
Despite its status as a forest reserve, the quality of KLSFR has been very much degraded due to the numerous agricultural activities undertaken in the area.
It is located just 21 minutes by car from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Although Selangor’s Forestry Department has yet to respond to The Vibes’ enquiry on the matter, its Pantai Klang regional office has said that the land conversion plan is under way, but did not disclose any other details.
The state exco overseeing environment, green technology, science and innovation and consumerism, Hee Loy Sian, was also silent when contacted.
But on April 20, Hee had remarked that errant cash-crops farmers, seeking to expand their plantations, were likely the culprits behind the then bushfire.
He also disclosed that around 300 illegal cash-crop farmers have encroached on and toiled KLSFR land.
He, however, said the state government is facing difficulty taking actions against them as their farms are, collectively, the largest vegetable supplier in the state.
“This is why the government has to be very careful when dealing with these farmers. We do not want to disrupt the state’s food supply,” said Hee in April.
The Vibes was also made to understand that some of the farms adjacent to KLSFR reportedly belonged to former participants of the Hutan Tani agricultural initiative who were no longer eligible to participate due to various non-compliances. – The Vibes, December 5, 2020
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