Stop rape of Camerons
Friday July 7, 2006
IT IS very disheartening to note that despite recent landslide tragedies in the Klang Valley, hillslope cutting is still being carried out in the heart of Tanah Rata and Brinchang in the Cameron Highlands.
To make matters worse, the earth from these sites is dumped into the Mentigi Forest Reserve, which consists of predominantly montane forest and which is a water catchment area in Tanah Rata.
Just next to the wet market in Tanah Rata is a hillslope with a gradient of more than 35 degrees. Heavy machinery is being used to cut this slope for a commercial project, though there are houses on and near the slope.
It is indeed a disaster waiting to happen and many of us locals are wondering how this project could have been approved.
Under the guidelines from the Study on the Sustainable Development of Highlands of Peninsular Malaysia by the Government in 2002, no development may be carried out in areas 1,000m above sea level and with a slope of more than 35 degrees in gradient.
Similarly, another development involving the cutting of steep hillslopes is taking place in the heart of Brinchang near a hotel, shops and the fire station.
Was an environmental impact assessment carried out for the earth from these sites to be dumped into the Mentigi Forest Reserve?
The Cameron Highlands cannot afford any more destruction of hillslopes and forests.
We need cleaner water in sufficient quantities. We do not need more apartments and houses or shoplots. We hope the relevant authorities will take note of this and help us preserve our beautiful forests and hills.
SAVE OUR HIGHLANDS,
Cameron Highlands.
Source: The Star
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment