The Selangor government was urged to reconsider plans to develop forested areas in the Genting area which fall within the state borders.
This was after at least nine died and dozens more were injured in a landslide at a glamping spot in Batang Kali, Selangor some 15km from the popular holiday destination Genting Highlands in Pahang.
Environment group Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka)’s president Damien Thanam said the Selangor government may want to emulate the economic success of its neighbour in the Pahang side of Genting, but this could have dire consequences.
The plan to develop the area for tourism and commercial purposes was unveiled in the public hearing of the draft Genting-Hulu Selangor Special Development Plan (RKK) in August.
“The Selangor menteri besar and Hulu Selangor municipal council chairperson want to copy the economic success of the Bentong side in Pahang, but they have largely ignored the environmental damages being faced in Bentong,” Damien said, referring to the Pahang district where Genting Highlands is located.
“The cost-benefit analysis for development in Hulu Selangor should be in-depth including the environmental damages that should happen as a chain reaction to the (development earmarked in the) Genting-Hulu Selangor Special Area Plan,” he said.
He added the area is still largely forested and yet severe landslides have taken place.
This is because changes in weather patterns and heavy downpours have placed pressure on the slope, he said.
“If the landslide can happen now, imagine when 200 plus hecatres are developed,” he warned.
Elevated walkway in the clouds
On Sept 15, Peka Malaysia submitted its objections to the plan, stating that the 220ha of forested highland should be protected to mitigate climate change.
It also proposed the Selangor government purchase all privately owned land in the area to turn the forest into a permanent forest reserve.
The RKK covers an 808.97ha area, including a state park and parts deemed Environmentally Sensitive Areas Level I and II.
Besides commercial developments, the plan includes strategies to manage hillside developments including mapping high-risk areas and maintaining a monitoring system.
It also includes mitigation plans like “environmentally friendly slope stabilisation methods” and “environment-based solutions” like covering slopes with greenery.
Among plans to develop the area for tourism include building a viewing tower and the “Genting elevated link”, an elevated pedestrian walkway “in the clouds”. - FMT
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