Bald patch getting bigger
Large tract cleared on Sg Ara hillslope near the Penang airport
GEORGE TOWN: Travelling along Jalan Datuk Ismail Hashim towards Sungai Ara town, one can see four blocks of high-rise condominiums near a hillslope on the right.
A large brownish bald patch has emerged behind the blocks and it is growing bigger.
The bald patch was not so noticeable when The Star took aerial pictures of the hillslope on April 25. But it has become bigger and can be seen from far off now.
The hillslope is about 4km from the Penang International Airport.
Residents of the condominium alerted The Star when they noticed that the hillslope was being cleared for farming.
A resident said he was worried that the clearing would gradually encompass the hilltop and surrounding areas.
“I am worried over possible landslide and mudflows during downpours since it has been raining frequently in the past three weeks.
“The patch is getting bigger every month. Does the hill top also belong to someone?” he asked.
On April 25, The Star could not get closer aerial shots since the hillslope is within the no-fly zone due to its proximity to the airport.
This time, a team went up the hill on a four-wheel drive and motorcycles to take a closer look.
Less than a kilometre from Cangkat Kenari, we turned right and came upon a trail entrance which warned trespassers that it was private property.
As we went up, we saw two local men plucking dukong from the many trees there.
As we trekked up the slope, we could see vast tracts of vegetation cleared and planted with durian and banana trees. Several young trees had been chopped down a few days ago.
A check showed that there are over 50 dukong trees. Some of the dukong trees were too tall for harvesting. There were also other fruit trees, including banana, pomelo and durian.
There are at least two sheds for workers who are believed to be involved in the hill clearing. In one shed, we spotted two men taking a nap.
From the hillslope, there is a scenic view of a part of the island, including the Penang Bridge.
State executive councillor Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, who is Batu Maung assemblyman, said he would ask the authorities to investigate the hill clearing.
“I have not received complaints on this hill clearing although there was hill clearing at another hillslope in Sungai Ara,” said Abdul Malik, whose constituency covers Sungai Ara.
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin and Consumers Association of Penang president S.M. Mohd Idris also expressed concern over the hill clearing.