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MONTREAL – Proper sustainable planning should be done for development projects, especially in highland areas, to ensure the water cycle and forest cover are safeguarded against landslides, said Forest Stewardship Council international managing director Kim Carstensen.
He said many activities associated with economic development, namely agriculture, logging, and ecotourism have brought land use and land-cover change, as well as loss of trees.
“Forest cover is very important to safeguard against landslides in case there is rainfall.
“Because of development, we have seen a lot of deforestation or conversion of forest from tree-covered to agricultural land, which has left some of it unprotected.
“These have brought the risk of landslides, and therefore affected people living in those areas," he said on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations COP15 Biodiversity Summit here.
He was commenting on the probability of landslides in highland areas due to unplanned development and deforestation.
“Before beginning development, it is important to study the steepness of slopes, types of soil, and water cycles in the area,” he said.
Meanwhile, WWF Malaysia conservation director Henry Chan said the government needs to strengthen the 4th National Physical Plan, especially on environmentally sensitive areas (ESA), for sustainable development without causing biodiversity loss.
He said any development must strictly follow the guidelines on ESA, which are ranked up to three.
“Rank one requires that no development, agriculture, or logging is permitted. Rank two allows no development or agriculture, but sustainable logging and low-impact nature tourism may be permitted subject to local constraints.
“Rank three allows for controlled development, with the type and intensity strictly controlled depending on the nature of the constraints.
“Please consult geologists if any development needs to be done so that no more such incidents (landslides) happen in the future,” he said.
Chan said it is important for mountain areas to have forests to safeguard water flow during monsoon seasons.
“Forests can retain excess rainwater, prevent extreme run-offs, and reduce the damage of floods. They can also help mitigate the effects of droughts.
“If the forests are degraded, flash floods and landslides will happen,” he said.
This follows the recent landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali near Kuala Lumpur at 2.42am on Friday, affecting 94 people, including campsite workers there.
Search-and-rescue operations involving the detection dog unit and emergency medical rescue service from the Bukit Sentosa, Ampang, Pandan, Kota Anggerik, Kajang, and Andalas fire and rescue stations in Selangor, as well as the special tactical operation and rescue team are ongoing.
As of yesterday evening, 24 victims were confirmed dead with nine still missing out, based on official police information. The others were rescued. – Bernama, December 18, 2022