Pahang starts demolishing illegal farms in Cameron Highlands

Illegal farming has affected the quality of water in the rivers.

KUANTAN: The Pahang state government has demolished 121ha of illegal plantations in Cameron Highlands in operations which began on Feb 25.

Pahang state secretary Sallehuddin Ishak said the first phase of the operation, involving 11 farms, was expected to end in mid-March while the second phase scheduled for April would involve 50 farms.

He said the operation was being carried out to restore the glory of Cameron Highlands and to protect rivers in the area.

“These illegal farming areas are located right in front of the intake point of the Sungai Ichat dam which supplies 70% of the clean water for the Cameron Highlands area.

“Because of these illegal farms around the intake point, the Sungai Ichat dam has been forced to be shut down in the past due to contamination from agricultural activities which involve the use of pesticides and fertilisers,” he said after attending a function here.

Sallehuddin also denied that farmers were being given short notice on the matter stating that notices were issued annually to those living on illegal land.

“We have been issuing warning notices from 2009, which means for almost 10 years. So the seven-day notice period (this time) is reasonable,” he said. - FMT