SELANGOR must not stay quiet on its plan to degazette the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) despite the nationwide focus on containing Covid-19, said a coalition of green groups fighting to preserve the area.

They said the state government must respond to the objections raised by the Coalition for the Protection of Selangor’s Forests, and explain how the proposed development will benefit Orang Asli folk living near the peat forest and other stakeholders.

The state should also consider alternatives, such as obtaining international funding to preserve KLNFR, instead of degazetting it for development, said the coalition, comprising seven groups, in a statement today.

It said the premium of up to RM323 million – or RM3.20 per sqf – that Selangor said it will receive for the land’s development is a “small” sum.

“If the state government is concerned about monetary resources, there are international funds available for keeping peat forests intact, such as from the Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility,” said coalition member Meena Raman of Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

“Such international funds are available to all developing countries that protect forests for biodiversity preservation and to curb climate change.

“The state should be exploring these approaches, which will benefit the public for generations to come.”

The coalition said the “one-off income” for the state from land premiums should be contrasted with the long-term benefits of keeping KLNFR intact.

“The forest’s value lies in its biodiversity, the culture heritage of the Orang Asli who depend on it, potential tourism revenue, and its environmental function in preventing climate change,” said Meena.

“The total value of this vital ecosystem is much higher than the premiums requested by the state government, and is irreplaceable.”

With the whole country focused on battling the coronavirus, said the coalition, the situation concerning KLNFR is left in the dark.

Nevertheless, it urged Selangor to respond to its earlier call for a suspension of the process to degazette the area.

The state’s proposal to degazette KLNFR was made on February 5 in an invitation to stakeholders in the Kuala Langat district to voice their objections.

The coalition collected 43,502 objections in 20 days, and presented them to the state government on March 4.

It said the movement-control order makes it impossible to conduct a proper assessment of the impact of Selangor’s proposal or hold a dialogue on the matter.

The coalition previously rejected the state’s reasoning that the area is degraded and “fire-prone”, saying the Orang Asli have rehabilitated the forest by planting new trees and undertaking fire patrols. – April 17, 2020.