Meeting in 2 weeks on Kelantan’s plans to develop sensitive forest areas

 

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (right) with Orang Asli residents to mark National Environment Day 2023 in Kuala Betis, Gua Musang, today. (Bernama pic)

GUA MUSANG: The natural resources, environment and climate change ministry is to examine Kelantan’s proposals to make changes to its development plans for environmentally sensitive areas (KSAS).

Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said they will hold a meeting with stakeholders in the next two weeks to discuss the matter.

The meeting, to be held in Putrajaya, will involve government agencies such as the forestry department, the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan), the environment department, the town and country planning department (PLANMalaysia) and the Kelantan state government.

“At the moment, the changes are still in the objection or public hearing process. Many parties in Kelantan have also expressed their positions.

“Therefore, we will look in terms of the legal framework and what we can do at the federal government level,” he said after attending the National Environment Day 2023 programme at the Orang Asli community centre here today.

Nik Nazmi said many forest areas would be affected and wildlife habitats threatened.

“Certainly it will have an impact on the communities living nearby, including the Orang Asli communities.

“That is one of the reasons why we are looking at how to preserve the Central Forest Spine over the long-term,” he said.

Recently, Nik Nazmi said the government planned to stop ecological fiscal transfer (EFT) payments for biodiversity conservation to Kelantan if the proposed modifications of environmentally sensitive areas in the state continue.

He said the modifications of rules pertaining to development of such areas in Kelantan will have implications, including affecting the government’s policy in achieving 50% of forested land in Peninsular Malaysia, in line with the National Physical Plan policy.

On Oct 29, Kelantan deputy menteri besar Fadzli Hassan said the proposed modifications of rules for such environmentally sensitive areas in Kelantan were still at the public hearing stage (for public participation), from Oct 11 to Nov 11. - FMT