One mln trees to be planted in Cameron Highlands – Palanivel

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: No more high rise buildings like hotels or condominiums in Cameron Highlands says Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.

"A programme to plant one million trees will be activated. We are discussing with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry and Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water. We do not want high rise buildings in Cameron Highlands," he told reporters after meeting nongovernmental organisations to discuss environmental issues involving Cameron Highlands here yesterday.

He said one million trees will be planted in Cameron Highlands, especially hill slopes to reduce soil erosion and avoid landslides.

Palanivel said the programme to plant trees would start in stages for over a three-year period with the cooperation of Persatuan Pencinta Alam Malaysia (MNS), Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (Reach) and Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka).

He said the ministry would also acquire 11 plots of land along the riverbanks of Sungai Bertam, Ringlet here, currently owned by individuals, under the Land Acquisition Act 1960, he said.

Palanivel said the land acquisition was to enable works to be carried out in the area, especially to deepen the river, since the government had already allocated RM40 million for the purpose.

Asked about the proposed relocation of residents occupying the riverbanks and river reserves especially in Lembah Bertam, Ringlet where landslides and mud f lood hit the area recently, and the refusal of residents to move to a new area, Palanivel said it was the responsibility of the state government to take the necessary steps.

Meanwhile, the President of Reach, R. Ramakrishnan said land on the highland was not designated for tourism but Cameron Highlands has become a tourist attraction because of the cool weather conditions.

"Development carried in the area is illegal because the issuance of temporary occupation licence (TOL) was frozen in 2007. We need the commitment of the state government and the federal government to save Cameron Highlands," he said.

Ramakrishnan said Reach, MNS and Peka would like to take Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to Cameron Highlands so that he (Muhyiddin) can witness what has happened to the area.