Groups renew call to save Gunung Kanthan from quarrying

 Environmental NGOs warn of threat to endangered species and the limestone hill losing its status as a geosite in the Kinta Valley National Geopark.

Gunung Kanthan has long been identified as a conservation priority, being one of the last 12 remaining limestone hills in the Kinta Valley National Geopark. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A coalition of environmental groups has called for the Perak government to protect Gunung Kanthan from quarrying, warning that further destruction of the limestone hill could threaten endemic species and its status as a geosite within the Kinta Valley National Geopark.

The 10 NGOs, which include Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Greenpeace, said in a joint statement that their concern began after the state authority extended the operator’s land lease in 2020, along with an alleged proposal to expand the quarry to cover the rest of the hill, including Zones C and D.

The groups said Zones C and D are home to several endemic flora and fauna species classified as critically endangered, such as trapdoor spiders and bent-toed gecko.

The NGOs also claimed that the extension of the land ownership or lease period contradicted the land-use zoning under the Ipoh City Local Plan 2035 (Replacement) and the previous Ipoh Local Plan 2020.

The 2020 plan also stated that the Ipoh City Council would propose that the state authorities stop approving further quarrying activities within its administrative area, they said.

“We hope the state will give attention to this call to commit to preserving and maintaining the Gunung Kanthan geosite, and that its national geopark recognition status is not revoked,” said Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman, a spokesman for the coalition.

The latest appeal follows renewed attention on Gunung Kanthan this week, after monks from the century-old Sakyamuni Caves Monastery appealed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene over the monastery’s eviction and possible demolition amid quarrying works.

Gunung Kanthan has long been identified as a conservation priority, being one of the last 12 remaining limestone hills in the Kinta Valley National Geopark.

It is also one of the 19 geosites in the valley, alongside Gua Tempurung, Gua Tambun and Hutan Lipur Ulu Kinta. - FMT