Land clearing activities in Selangor stripping away precious greenery

A DRIVE to Kajang or Rawang has become an upsetting experience, not because of the road conditions or traffic congestion, but the brown patches that have replaced most of the once-green hills there.

Upon entering the Cheras-Kajang Highway, motorists will be able to see land clearing activities taking place on the undulating hills in the distance. Ironically, this is the direction city folk take when heading to places such as Hulu Langat, Semenyih and Broga for some fresh air.

Similarly, when motorists drive along the North-South Expressway towards the supposedly greener areas on the fringes of the state such as Serendah and Bukit Beruntung, they will be greeted by row after row of land cleared for quarry, plantation or housing development.

I am sad about what is happening around here, said Cheras resident Yong Boo Ying.

Every now and then, I see the hills being cut for housing development or another large stretch being stripped bare of its greenery. This has been happening at an alarming rate over the past few years, she added.

Selayang MCA Youth chief Lee Li Yew said he was doubtful that the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) was doing its part to monitor the land clearing along the North-South Expressway.

Although these are private land, the clearing has to be watched closely. I noticed that the land has been cleared but no ground work has been done after that. I suspect they are chopping down the trees without approval, he said.

It may take detailed surveys to prove the land clearing activities are affecting the delicate balance of the eco-system but the flooding in the Klang Valley, that is occurring more frequently, is certainly a warning sign.

On the other hand, looking at existing laws and plans, there is no lack of clauses in place to ensure the equilibrium between development and the environment.

In Selangor, there are the Selangor Structure Plan 2020 as well as the development plans for various localities, further supported by the need for sustainability assessment during the planning process and Local Agenda 21 that calls for public consultation.

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Land clearing activities in Selangor stripping away precious greenery