Activities Report 1999 July Newsletter
Enforcing Sensitive Areas
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) welcomes
the Government's directive to local authorities (NST 24/5/99) to implement
the new guidelines on hill development, which, among others, prohibit cutting
of slopes of more than 35 in gradient, as all State Governments have adopted
them. The guidelines are drawn up under amendments to the Town and Country
Planning Act 1976, Protection of Natural Topography in the Planning and
Physical Development, are to safeguard the topography of hilly terrain,
highlands, rivers and beaches, amongst others. - Sensitive areas
However, MNS recommends that the guidelines on hill development should
be more stringent. Any development irrespective of size should be required
to have an EIA if it involves building onslopes greater than 20° and
no development at all on slopes above 30° as indeed recommended in
the Draft Structural Plan 1995-2020 for Ampang Jaya. This should probably
be extended to any develop-ments located within 200 metres of such slopes.
Indeed, these high-risk sensitive areas should be identified by geological
survey. - Enforcement
Enforcement issues surface on a recurrent basis. It is of paramount
importance that monitoring and enforcement are carried out stringently
and in a transparent manner. - Slope cutting
Finally, it should be recognized that much of Malaysia's hills and
highlands are covered by highly weathered rocks and soils which are not
stable and often held in place by existing vegetation. The principle cause
of landslide is cutting of slopes and the rain is the triggering factor.
This is not the most suitable land for any form of construction which will
always involve an element of risk. Development in high-risk areas should
really be wisely avoided.
Kuala Lumpur, 26 May 1999
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Created on 30th June 1999