By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
HULU SELANGOR, Oct 9 — The state government has identified a suitable site for a second fish sanctuary here.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim said the location is conducive to protecting kelah and tengas fish in Batang Kali and Kerling.
“We know Sungai Chilling is a unique habitat for these creatures, but we have identified another location in Hulu Selangor.
We will work with Worldwide Holdings Bhd to make use of the high-quality water at this location to open a second sanctuary,” he said after a visit to the Sungai Chilling Fish Sanctuary here yesterday.
Earlier, Izham was accompanied by Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman Pang Sock Tao to visit the Tenaga Nasional Bhd 500kV conveyor line project site from the Tapah transmission main intake to Bentong South, through Hulu Selangor.
He said his staff will increase kelah seed in the sanctuary to boost the fish species’ population.
The Sungai Chilling Fish Sanctuary was opened to the public in 2009, and is the only fish sanctuary attraction in Selangor. Here, kelah and tengas fish can be seen and even approached along the path to the waterfall.
The area is managed by the Fisheries Department, and picnicking is limited to prevent pollution, which can negatively affect the endangered kelah.
However, the sanctuary is currently closed until year-end for maintenance and to coordinate visitors’ entry.
