Fence design is wildlife-friendly

KUALA LUMPUR: THE National Landscape Department (JLN) has resumed the construction of a 3.5m high fence along a 4.7km stretch in Bukit Kiara Park, after receiving the go-ahead from the cabinet last August.

JLN director-general Esa Ahmad said the fence was necessary to curb illegal rubber tree tapping and tree felling by illegal immigrants to build settlements, both of which have long been rampant in the park.

The fence was also important to demarcate the park borders, he said.

Esa said the fence was designed according to specifications provided by the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department and was wildlife-friendly as it would allow animals to pass underneath.

He also refuted claims by some conservation groups that 3,000 trees were felled to make way for the fence.

"Only about 100 trees, mostly rubber trees, were cut down for the fence project," he said.

The fence is expected to be completed in March.

The slope repair and soil erosion control works at the park, which started on Oct 17 last year, is expected to be completed on Feb 5.

JLN architect Hamzah Hashim, who was also at the site, assured the public that they did not have to worry about another landslide occurring.

"We decided that the best solution was to reduce the steepness of the slope from 60 to 35, followed by the installation of nets and planting of grass along the slope to control soil erosion.

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Fence design is wildlife-friendly