Guest guest Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 ***************************Advertisement*************************** ***************************************************************** This message was forwarded to you by yitzeling. Comment from sender: This article is from The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my) URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/5/25/nation/11044175 & sec=nation ________________________ Wednesday May 25, 2005 State park yet to be gazetted <b>BY TEOH TEIK HOONG</b> PETALING JAYA: Almost two years after Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak proclaimed Royal Belum a state park, the area has yet to be gazetted. The threats to this biodiversity-rich area are mounting every day and the necessary paperwork to finalise its de-gazettement is delayed. The area has to be de-gazetted as a security area and subsequently gazetted as a state park. Even the State Park Corporation headed by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali to protect, manage and promote the area is unable to initiate the masterplan for Royal Belum. Under the proposed masterplan, five areas have been earmarked for low-impact development & #150; biodiversity research, nature, adventure and cultural tourism, and education. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia botanist Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Mohamad said security was the main reason why Royal Belum remained ungazetted. Dr Abdul Latiff, who had led two scientific expeditions into the area, said although the area was referred to as & #147;already gazetted, & #148; the necessary legislation had yet to be passed. He called on the authorities to double gazette the area as a security area and a state park. & #147;This is the only way Royal Belum can be protected from illegal encroachment and logging. Many people from a neighbouring country have been coming in to take our flora and fauna because of this situation, & #148; he added. In 2003, Perak & #147;gazetted & #148; 117,500ha & #150; known as Upper Belum & #150; of the Belum Valley as a state park. Upper and Lower Belum, which together make up the 290,000ha Belum Valley, are separated by the East-West Highway in north Perak. Perak had submitted the documents for gazettement two years ago but had yet to receive approval from the Federal Government. Dr Abdul Latiff said security concerns in the area would not be compromised with the gazettement. & #147;The armed forces can still maintain border security while some parts of Royal Belum can be made accessible for eco-tourism, & #148; he added. <p> ________________________ Your one-stop information portal: The Star Online http://thestar.com.my http://biz.thestar.com.my http://classifieds.thestar.com.my http://cards.thestar.com.my http://search.thestar.com.my http://star-motoring.com http://star-space.com http://star-jobs.com http://star-ecentral.com http://star-techcentral.com 1995-2004 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.