HIKERS are urging developers and authorities to stop deforestation in the name of development.

They told The Malaysian Insight that forests are decreasing in the country, adding that this was a bad sign for the ecosystem.

Luqman Hafiz, 26, said while development was good as it created jobs, allowed people to purchase properties or provided new roads, it should not be destructive to the forest.

“They (developers) should look at empty lands rather than forests to build new properties or roads,” he said.

He added that if forest destruction continues, there would come a time in the near future when Malaysia would be devoid of any forest.

“Malaysia is a very special country with many unique flora and fauna. Destroying the forest will endanger these species.

“For instance in Selangor, only Shah Alam has a hiking spot. As such, they should preserve it,” said the hiker who goes to Shah Alam Community Forest (SACF) on weekends.

The SACF is largely on land owned by the Selangor government and state-owned State Development Corporation of Selangor (PKNS).

Plans for a proposed road through the forest to connect Setia Alam to Section U10 are in the Shah Alam Local Draft Plan 2035.

A petition to stop the deforestation by PKNS has collected more than 2,000 signatures.

Another hiker, Johnsen Khoo, 31, said that he has signed the petition and hopes that their voices will be heard.

“I am not sure how much signing a petition works but as of now that is the only option I have to save SACF.

“I hope the authorities do see this situation from our point of view in order to save the forest,” he said.

Khoo also said that destroying SACF would impact many people from enjoying nature.

Regular hiker Steven Ramesh, 38, said destroying a forest to build a new expressway was the most selfish act that can be done.

“Authorities have to understand that it’s not about money all the time, we have to balance development and nature,” said Steven.

He said Malaysia cannot be a concrete jungle.

Hiker Fauzi Rahman, 32, said SACF was special to the local community.

“Almost every weekend you’ll see a massive crowd and it shows how important this forest is for the community here.

“It is as if we take a break from reality and enjoy nature that this forest provides us,” he said.

He added development in places of forests would only lead to people having unhealthy lifestyles as they won’t have any weekend activities.

“For almost two years we were locked in our houses due to Covid-19 and now when we are able to enjoy outdoor activity, we see developers taking over our spot.”

Last September Selangor executive councillor Hee Loy Sian explained that a development project near SACF took place outside the permanent forest reserve.

He said 9,642 hectares were gazetted as a permanent forest reserve in 1909 but had undergone several amendments since 1976 to allow for development.

Currently, the remaining Bukit Cherakah forest reserve is 1,298.86 hectares and is still managed by the Selangor forestry department as a “protected forest”.

State government warned

Meanwhile SAFC Society founder Alicia Teoh said PKNS would will be robbing the local community of a very valuable and irreplaceable natural treasure with the project.

She warned that the people would not mind voting out the present state government if the project proceeds.

“SACF is not just a popular recreational place. It is also incredibly important ecologically, as an urban wildlife habitat and for the priceless ecosystem it provides to the surrounding neighbourhood,” she said.

“I won’t be surprised if people decide to express their displeasure in more assertive ways.

“PKNS is under the leadership of the Selangor Pakatan Harapan government. If this government ignores the expressed needs of its people, we will be compelled to vote in a different government in the upcoming GE. One that will protect SACF and other remaining forests in Selangor,” she said.

She said SACF Society has been raising awareness of the threats the forest has faced for the past eight years.

“We have also been building a coalition of organisations to pursue the protection of SACF and the Bukit Cherakah forest corridor,” she said. – June 6, 2022.