All parks, forest reserves in Kedah closed temporarily

 

All eco parks, state parks and hiking areas in forest reserves under the management of the Kedah Forestry Department have been temporarily closed throughout the monsoon season to avoid any untoward incidents.

Kedah Forestry director Muhamad Abdullah said the closures involved 10 eco parks, including the Ulu Muda State Park, and 15 hiking areas in the state that had a high risk of landslides and water surges.

"The parks affected by the closure are Bukit Wang Eco Park in Kubang Pasu; Puncak Janing Eco Park (Padang Terap); Sungai Teroi Eco Park (Yan); Lata Mengkuang Eco Park (Sik); Sungai Rambai Eco Park (Pendang); Tupah Eco Park (Kuala Muda); Bukit Hijau Eco Park, Lata Bayu Eco Park (Baling), Ulu Paip Eco Park (Kulim) and Ulu Muda State Park," he said in a statement today.

Also, the 15 hiking areas affected by the closure are Gunung Jerai; Gunung Kemerlong; Bukit Perak; Bukit Enggang; Bukit Saiong; Gunung Bintang; Bukit Besar Kulim; Bukit Batu Merah; Bukit Fakir Terbang; Bukit Air Terjun Lebai Husin; Bukit Kilim; Gunung Matchinchang; Bukit Selat Panchor; Gunung Raya (Tangga Helang Seribu) and Bukit Batu Licin (Pulau Tuba).

Muhamad added that 10 eco parks in Kedah that have been privatised to operators are not affected by the temporary closure but they are advised to stop operating during this period.

"The 10 eco parks that have been privatised are Pasir Tengkorak Eco Park; Telaga Tujuh Eco Park; Air Terjun Temurun Eco Park, Tasik Dayang Bunting Eco Park and Gua Cherita Eco Park in Langkawi; Seri Perigi Eco Park; Batu Hampar Eco Park and Titi Hayun Eco Park (Yan); Perangin Sik Eco Park and Sungai Sedim Eco Park (Kulim).

"The responsibility of ensuring the safety of visitors to privatised eco parks is subject to each operator….the department hopes all visitors will obey instructions issued by the department for everyone’s safety,” he added.

- Bernama