PUTRAJAYA is objecting to the Kelantan government’s move to remove all classifications for environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) in the state, which will effectively allow rampant development in reserve forests.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said he had expressed his objection to the Kelantan menteri besar over the matter.

According to a Malaysiakini report, Nik Nazmi said the state government’s plan to remove the ESA classifications was against the National Physical Plan and Kelantan Structural Plan 2040.

“I urge the Kelantan government to review the planned amendments towards ESAs in the state and work together with the ministry to strengthen the management and development of forests to ensure environmental sustainability,” he said.

Nik Nazmi also warned that the ESA amendments, if approved, will affect Putrajaya’s goal of ensuring half of Peninsular Malaysia’s landmass was forested.

He said the plan would also affect the ecology of the sensitive Central Forest Spine area, which is home to endangered species such as tigers, elephants, seladang and tapirs.

Further developments in Kelantan’s forested areas could potentially make floods and threaten water supplies, he said.

Nik Nazmi’s response to the matter comes after environmental watchdog Rimba Watch highlighted that a proposal to remove all ESA classifications is found in the state’s proposed development plans – Kelantan State Structure Plan, Local Plan and Special Area Plan – which is on public display from October 11 to November 11.

Its director, Adam Farhan, warned that the removal of the classifications would expose most of the remaining forests in Kelantan to development with few conditions, and puts communities at risk of disasters.

He said under the state’s proposal, the ESA classifications for Taman Negara and the forests west of Gua Musang would be removed. – October 27, 2023.