Mining ponds play an important role in saving peat lands during droughts

Water for peat swamp: The Forestry Department intends to tap water from this pond nearest to the Raja Muda Forest Reserve to prevent the peat land from getting too dry to reduce the risk of fires during the hot season. A pump will be fitted to the pipe to draw water for peatland irrigation.

ABANDONED mining ponds in Kuala Selangor are not just good for topping up water levels in Sungai Selangor, but they can also play a role in saving peatlands during extreme dry periods.

The state Forestry Department is in the process of tapping water from one such pond adjacent to the 4,000ha Raja Musa Forest Reserve (RMFR) in its quest to prevent this highly-degraded peat swamp from going up in smoke.