Shah Alam residents fear flash floods after forest clearing at Bukit Cherakah

 

Residents of Section U10 in Shah Alam, Selangor have expressed concern over forest clearing at Bukit Cherakah which they say may cause flash floods.

Several residents, who spoke on conditions of anonymity due to fear of repercussions, said the area being developed serves as a natural water catchment, noting there are several lakes nearby.

"This development will cause the lake beds to rise. Without trees to absorb the water during rain, there will likely be flash floods," said the group's representative when met at the area.

Malaysiakini has made multiple requests for comments from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) mayor's office on the concerns of the residents but did not get a response.

When Malaysiakini visited the site on Sept 7, earthworks were taking place in close proximity to two lakes - one of which is adjacent to the Perdana Heights neighbourhood in Shah Alam.

The area concerned is known as Compartment 35 of the Bukit Cherakah forest. The Department of Town and Country Planning's website stated that the land, marked as Lot 57621, is owned by the state government.

District and Land Office records showed a developer secured a 99-year lease for the land on Aug 11, 2020. Satellite photos suggest that land clearing began even before that date.

A District and Land Office signboard at the site specified that the earth removal permit was for September to November 2020 only.

Forest important to biodiversity

Residents who spoke to Malaysiakini said they were troubled that the government allowed the forest to be developed considering its ecological importance.

"We used to see wildlife drinking water from the nearby lakes. Since development started, these sightings are no more," claimed a resident.

They also said Malayan Tapirs were present in the Bukit Cherakah forest. This, said the residents, was a testament to the rich biodiversity within the forest.

On Aug 17, a Malayan Tapir was rescued by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in the vicinity of the Bukit Cherakah forest reserve before being relocated.

Land-use controversy

The land being cleared is part of several parcels of land which some activists claim was part of the Bukit Cherakah forest reserve before being purportedly excised in 2002.

A team of experts representing a pressure group known as the Shah Alam Community Forest (SACF) Society combed through state government gazettes.

However, they said they could not find the relevant gazette and hence claimed that the purported excision was invalid.

This was raised during an MBSA public hearing on its draft local plan 2021-2035 on April 8.

Two state cabinet members were present at the public hearing - Hee Loy Sian and Ng Sze Han.

The SACF Society said while the politicians promised to look into the issue, the society has not received a response.

According to the Department of Town and Country Planning's website, plots of jungle land adjacent to Compartment 35 - including two natural lakes - have been zoned for housing. - Mkini

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