Keep close eye on highland development, say activists

 

Environmentalists say studies are needed on whether highland areas could support development projects, taking into account how much rainfall can be supported by the soil. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Environmental activists have urged the authorities to keep a close watch on development projects on highlands, following the deadly landslide near Genting Highlands yesterday.

Ecological Association of Malaysia president Ahmad Ismail said all developments at highland areas, including the Genting and Cameron highlands and around Gunung Jerai should be closely monitored, especially in view of the monsoons and climate change.

He told FMT that there was a need to study whether these areas could support development projects, taking into account rainfall volume and how much of it can be supported by surface soil.

“With land surface vegetation removed and the land covered, most of the rainwater will be accumulated on the surface, less of it will be absorbed,” he said. “We need to understand the type of soil and what (kind of development) we can do in these areas. A decision can then be made based on these detailed studies.”

Ahmad added that all development and land clearing of highlands and hill slopes must comply with existing laws coupled with continuous monitoring, saying “tragedy can be avoided” if regulations were complied with.

The Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) said the deaths in the landslide on Friday could have been avoided.

“We are not supposed to develop the highlands. But look at Genting now, non-stop developments,” Peka president Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil told FMT. She said more tragedies would occur in the future from further highland development.

“I have many times called for a moratorium on deforestation, to cancel any developments 400 metres above sea level, and gazette Banjaran Titiwangsa as protected areas. No more cutting of hills and building high-rise (projects) in Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands.”

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) called for a public inquiry into the cause of the Batang Kali landslide, saying it had repeatedly warned against earthworks on highlands and hillslopes.

SAM president Meenakshi Raman also urged Putrajaya to impose a moratorium on all further hillslope developments pending a study on whether these areas would be able to withstand increased rainfall intensity due to climate change.

“We are working in uncharted and unprecedented times where the impact of climate change is only now unfolding. We cannot continue with business as usual approaches which are piecemeal, allowing activities on hillslopes,” she said in a statement. - FMT