Protect forests, scrap proposed KLORR plan

Tuesday January 12, 2010

THE Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) notes with concern that a new expressway which will cut through the Selangor State Park is being planned.

The proposed Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road (KLORR) would go from Selayang to Cheras and cut through the Klang Gates Wildlife Reserve and the Ampang and Gombak Forest Reserves.

This project is highlighted by the draft local plans that have recently been produced for the municipalities of Selayang, Ampang Jaya and Kajang.

The forests here are important for sustaining a wide variety of animals and plants, including large mammals such as the tapir, the MNS mascot.

We note that when a highway was built through the forests at Bukit Cherakah, at least seven tapirs ended up as roadkill.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Malayan tapir (tapirus indicus) as an endangered species and it will be threatened further if the proposed road goes ahead.

Furthermore, the project will result in the further fragmentation of forest in Selangor. Fragmentation is a serious problem for wildlife in that their remaining population will be effectively divided.

MNS recognises that the Klang Valley needs a system of sustainable transportation to mitigate future traffic woes. What we need is new public transportation infrastructure because building new highways is not a long-term solution to congestion.

Expanding road infrastructure does not solve traffic woes in the long run as it only promotes development further afield and therefore urban sprawl (because as a highway initially shortens travel time, commuters would be encouraged to live further from the urban centre).

MNS objects to the plan to route the KLORR though the State Park and proposes that the state government stand true to its commitment to protect the forests for future generations.

The KLORR should be scrapped and removed from the draft local plans. The sanctity of the Selangor State Park should be maintained and further deforestation should be avoided.

GARY PHONG,
Selangor Branch Chairman,
Malaysian Nature Society.

Article found in http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/12/focus/5448916&sec=focus