KUALA LUMPUR: A special team to conduct regular monitoring and enforcement of development projects in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, has been proposed, says Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The team, comprising various agencies, will be headed by the Pahang State Land and Mines Department (DOE). It is an additional measure taken by the ministry to monitor the area.
“This is to ensure that any project subject to environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements (actually) receives the EIA report from the Environment Department before approval,” he said.
He added that the Minerals and Geoscience Department will also examine the landslide hazard and risk assessment.
Recently, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decreed that all hillslope development projects in Cameron Highlands be carefully studied and monitored as excessive development invites natural disasters.
A mudslide incident occurred in Kampung Raja Pekan Housing, Cameron Highlands, on Aug 30 last year, affecting one house, followed by two more landslides in the same area on Nov 17 and Dec 20.
Preliminary investigations revealed the landslides were likely caused by farming activities near the area.Nik Nazmi said the DOE investigation of development projects in Cameron Highlands revealed that 16 projects had received EIA approvals and are regularly monitored by the DOE. — Bernama
