SAM’s Response Regarding PKNP’s Media Statement Perak Hi-Tech Orchard Development

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) refers to the media statement issued by (PKNP – Perak State Development Corporation) that was covered by several local media.

The statement states that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report  for the proposed orchard development at Perak Hi-Tech in Lot PT 253408 and 253409 was approved by the Department of Environment (DoE) on 21 June 2009.

Based on DOE’s stipulation, the validity of an EIA report is only two years from the date of the letter of approval is issued.

At present, the activity in the project area is logging for the purpose of converting the forest to other land use covering 151.49 hectares of land at Lot PT 253408 and PT 253409 from 1 November 2019 to 30 January 2020.

This activity is subject to the requirement of an EIA report as stipulated in the First Schedule of the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015 and Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).

According to the Ipoh District Local Plan 2020, the zoning of this project area is forest zone.

The land owner may not convert the forest zone to agriculture zone unless a zone alteration, revocation or replacement has been carried out in the local plan in accordance with subsection 16 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172).

The Chief Minister as the EXCO in charge of land and forest portfolio, the State Forestry Committee Chairman and the PKNP Chairperson need to re-gazette the area as a Permanent Reserved Forest to show the current government’s commitment to conserve and protect the environment as this is the Kinta Valley Geopark.

 

Media Statement12 December 2019