(MY) disaster for Malaysian wildlife

[Guest guest]

Wildlife experts predict disaster - The Malay Mail

By NAJMUDDIN NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14:

--

 

Wildlife experts believe that if Federal Hill and the Lake Gardens were

developed into luxury housing areas, the consequences could be disastrous.

 

 

Wildlife experts believe that if Federal Hill and the Lake Gardens were

developed into luxury housing areas, the consequences could be disastrous.

 

Besides the obvious loss of a major green lung, the development could result

in a mass exodus of wildlife, all of which could end up fleeing to

neighbouring residential areas.

 

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) executive director Loh Chi Leong said this is

inevitable as the forested area is home to a variety of fauna.

 

He said although the wildlife comprises nothing out of the ordinary, the

forest is still home to monkeys, snakes, civets, porcupines and many species

of birds.

 

“If Federal Hill goes, you will probably see an ‘invasion’ of these animals

into nearby homes as they have nowhere else to go,” he said.

 

Federal Hill, a 70-hectare forest area between Jalan Parlimen and Jalan

Bangsar, is reportedly being coveted by property developers who plan to

build 1,000 units of luxury bungalows, semi-detached and terraced homes in

the area.

 

The area is much sought-after due to its close proximity to KL Sentral,

Parliament building, the National Mosque and Muzium Negara.

 

It is claimed that the bungalow lots could fetch at least RM4 million each.

 

Loh said the loss of Federal Hill would be disastrous as Malaysia has a

reputation for being a country rich in greenery and wildlife.

 

He said, in the KL Structure Plan, it was proposed that 10 per cent of the

city be designated as green zones.

 

“However, we are nowhere near that figure at present. In fact, more and more

green lungs in the city are under threat from development,” he said.

 

He said Malaysia ought to preserve Federal Hill by following the example of

London and New York City, which have Hyde Park and Central Park

respectively.

 

“Despite being major cities, these parks serve as a much-needed ‘breathing

space’ for residents who for the most part, live in a concrete jungle. It is

a place for them to relax and de-stress with outdoor activities,” he said,

adding that the MNS would strongly support any move by the Government to

create a Central Park-model in Kuala Lumpur.

 

Loh’s opinions were echoed by Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia’s

animal species conservation unit head, Dr Dionysius S.K. Sharma.

 

He agreed that the conversion of Federal Hill and the Lake Gardens into a

sprawling Central Park project would be the ideal solution to preserving the

green lungs.

 

He said a park like New York City’s Central Park, will also serve as a

tourist attraction and raise Kuala Lumpur’s standing as a ‘green city’.

 

_______________

Find love online with MSN Personals.

http://match.msn.com.my/match/mt.cfm?pg=channel