SEREMBAN: Camping and glamping site operators in Negri Sembilan have till the end of this year to apply for special permits from local councils to run their businesses, says local government development committee chairman J. Arul Kumar.
Arul, who also holds the housing and transport portfolios, said the state exco decided during a meeting on June 26 that the authorities would start enforcing in Jan 2025.
He said the state government had decided to come up with a comprehensive set of guidelines on such operations following the landslide tragedy at Father's Organic Farm in Batang Kali in Selangor in Dec 2022, which claimed the lives of 31 people.
"This is to ensure the safety of visitors to campsites, usually located in traditional villages or close to rivers, lakes, beaches, slopes and hilly terrains.
"Hilly terrains and steep slopes have a risk of landslides while sites near water bodies such as rivers can be hit by floods, mud floods and the water surge phenomena," he told reporters at Wisma Negri.
Arul said such activities must also be regulated to safeguard the environment following the surge in the opening of new campsites in the state.
Action would be taken against those who fail to obtain permits as provided under sections 26, 27, and 28 of the Town and Country Planning Act, which carries a fine of up to RM500,000 or a jail term not exceeding two years or both.
"The operator will have his stuff seized and will not be allowed to resume operations if he fails to get a permit," he said, adding that operators would also be required to take public liability insurance for all activities provided at their sites.
Arul said that under the new guidelines, operators would also need to get approvals from the relevant government agencies, such as the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Mineral and GeoScience Department, and the Public Works Department if their sites are located close to rivers, lakes, beaches, and hill slopes.
“If utility services such as water, electricity and gas pipes run through the campsite, they will also be required to get approvals to operate,” he said.
Arul said the guidelines also contain provisions on the layout of such sites, safety features, land status and the basic and utility facilities that should be provided to guests.
The guidelines also state that the campsites should be easily accessible, including by fire engines and ambulances and should have at least two emergency routes.
It states that for sites along hill slopes, the operator must get a certification from a professional engineer or professional engineer with a practising certificate that it was a safe area.
It said approval would not be considered for sites likely to become swampy or waterlogged during the rainy season, easily flooded, peat swamp forest, or terrain with steep slopes, narrow valleys, or ravines.
It states that temporary structures erected along rivers should be outside the river reserve area.
Permits should also be obtained for outdoor and extreme activities such as kayaking, whitewater rafting, horse riding, hiking, flying fox, and bungee jumping. The handling of all-terrain vehicles should be supervised and handled by competent and authorised persons.
