Land Clearing in Cameron Highlands

There is far too much land clearing going on in Cameron Highlands. Ever so often it would come out in the newspaper. And what has the authorities done about them? Almost nothing. Just lip service.

No doubt land is scarce in the highlands for growing vegetables. There should be a systematic way of doing agriculture without jeopardizing the environment.


Stern action to be taken against the culprits
Monday May 20, 2013

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Those caught carrying out illegal land clearing will be arrested immediately, said Cameron Highlands Land and District Officer Datuk Ahmad Daud.

He said he had directed his enforcement officers to conduct a raid in the wake of The Star's report yesterday over the extensive clearing of slopes in Pos Terisu.

Over 40ha of land spread over four valleys and hills were found stripped of forests in less than a month, with the areas leveled for vegetable farming.

Ahmad said his office had no prior knowledge of the activities, as the location was deep in the heart of the jungle.



Workers busy levelling freshly cleared terrain upstream of the Kuala Terla water treatment plant, which supplies 60% of water to Tanah Rata and Brinchang.


Task force formed to salvage Cameron High­lands
By Isabelle Lai
Monday May 20, 2013

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: A special task force to be set up under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will work with the Pahang Government to tackle the widespread ravage of Cameron Highlands.

But even as newly-appointed Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel announced this yesterday, another huge tract of virgin jungle was found stripped bare to make way for more vegetable farms.

The ongoing uncontrolled clearing of jungle slopes has led to residents to voice accusations of corruption involving officials and protection by powerful hidden forces.

The latest area of rape, spread over about 10ha, is located upstream of the crucial Kuala Terla water catchment area. Part of it is behind a steep hill and hidden from view.

Palanivel, who is also Cameron Highlands MP, said the wanton destruction of the hills must be stopped.



Dept: Less than 1% of forests being illegally logged
Monday May 20, 2013

IPOH: Less than 1% of the more than 4.7 million hectares of forest reserves in the peninsula are being illegally logged.

Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahim said there was a misconception that illegal logging activities were rampant and unchecked.

He said people misunderstood that logging activities were conducted at forest reserves.

“In the peninsula, we have about 5.6 million hectares of forest land. This is inclusive of forest reserves, government land and privately-owned land,” he said, adding that only a small fraction of forest reserves in the peninsula was affected and that illegal logging was under control.


Source: The Star (excerpt)