SHAH ALAM, Feb 21 — The Selangor government aims to increase the total area of forest reserves in the state to 32 per cent by 2025, said its Menteri Besar.
Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said at present, the estimated area of forest reserves in the state is 250,209 hectares, which stands at 31 per cent. This includes the natural forests, peat swamp forests and mangrove forests.
Following several objections against the proposed plan to degazette the 930 hectares (2,300 acres) Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve, Amirudin reiterated that the state government would go through the proper procedures and that the public can voice their concerns until March 5.
“The Selangor State Executive Council will not make a decision before reviewing the feedback from stakeholders as well as technical reports, which includes cost-benefit analysis and the impact of the decision.
“Selangor is the only state in Malaysia that holds public inquiry on the status of forest reserves, and this is only the third stage out of nine phases before a decision can be finalised,” Amirudin said in a statement today.
Amirudin said any degazetted forest reserves would be replaced with a new forest area with the same total area and ecological conditions.
He said there would be an additional 300 acres of land in the proposed replacement area, which is bigger compared to the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve.
Yesterday, Amirudin said the suggested replacement areas are in two locations in Sungai Panjang under the Sabak Bernam district, Kuala Selangor and Ampang.
He added that the degazetting plans would not affect the Orang Asli community in the area and the villages surrounding it.
