Bukit Cherakah development not on permanent forest reserve land, exco says

SHAH ALAM – The development project near the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve and Shah Alam Community Forest that has come under the scrutiny of several non-governmental organisations and the public is not on permanent forest reserve land, said Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Standing Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian.

He said the road and housing project concerned is being developed on part of Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve land that had been degazetted by the previous state government.

“It was degazetted for the purpose of ownership by the state government in 2006 through PW1443. Therefore, the state Forestry Department currently no longer has jurisdiction in terms of management and development in the area, because the land does not have permanent forest reserve status,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said in 2007, part of the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve that had been degazetted was regazetted as additional land under the said reserve involving an area of 982.80ha.

“This forest reserve is also known as the Shah Alam National Botanical Garden, which is among the main public recreational parks in Shah Alam and Petaling districts.”

The current state government’s normal practice is to immediately replace any permanent forest reserve land that is to be degazetted, he said.

“This is in line with the amendment to the Selangor Forestry Act 1985 (Adoption) Enactment that was implemented by the state government in 2011, and related to the need for a public investigation for the proposed degazettement of permanent forest reserve land.

“However, the degazettement of the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve took place before the amendment of the APN Enactment 1985 in 2006,” he said, adding that the state government will ensure that all development activities near the area comply with procedures and regulations.

“Among them is the requirement for an environmental impact assessment under the Environment Order 2015 and planning approval under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.” – Bernama, September 25, 2021