AVID hikers in Selangor want the state Forestry Department to improve the application process to enter permanent forest reserves (HSK) for hiking and other outdoor activities.
They said the current process was outdated and inconvenienced many people.
Hikers Kimberly C and HT Tan, both 35, said it would take a two-hour round trip for them to apply for a permit at the Selangor Tengah District Forest Department.
“We live in Petaling Jaya but we enjoy hiking at the Bukit Apek trails on weekends.
“But as the office is only open on weekdays, we are unable to send in our documents and pay for the fees,” said Kimberly when met at one of the Bukit Apek trail heads in Cheras.
Tan said the Forestry Department should have an online application system to ease the process.
“We have no complaints about paying the permit fees as RM5 per person is a reasonable amount.
“But it does not make sense to not have an online system or mobile app when everything is online these days,” he added.
Currently, anyone intending to carry out activities in permanent forest reserves are required to get a permit from their respective district Forestry Department office to enter the area.
A fee of RM5 per person must also be paid, with forms to be submitted in triplicate at least a week before the hiking date.
Bukit Apek, for example, is located within the Bukit Sungai Puteh Forest Reserve, for which an entry permit is required from the Selangor Tengah District Forest Department.
Several other hikers told StarMetro they were unaware of the requirement of a permit to enter the forest.
“I have been hiking here for the past three years and did not even know about this requirement.
“I have not even seen forestry officers checking for permits,” one hiker said.
StarMetro previously quoted Selangor Forestry Department (JPNS) director Datuk Ahmad Fadzil Abd Majid saying that forest reserves were divided into open and closed forests.
An open forest means visitors can enter for recreational activities while a closed forest requires one to have a permit from JPNS before entering.
Action can be taken against those who ignore the notice under the National Forestry Act (Adoption) Enactment 1985.
Under Section 47 (1) of the Act, no person can enter any closed forest without prior permission from JPNS and the entry permit can only be issued by the director or an officer authorised by the director.
Those found guilty of the offence will be liable for a fine not exceeding RM30,000 or jailed not more than three months or both.According to JPNS, all permanent forest reserves are closed forests.
Despite the lack of permits, outdoor lovers were glad to finally get back to their favourite hiking trails and waterfalls with the reopening of several permanent forest reserves in Selangor last Saturday.
Hiking and other activities in forest reserves had been off limits to the public due to the monsoon season which made it dangerous for hikers trekking in these areas.
Forest reserves that have reopened for hiking included Bukit Saga, Bukit Apek, Bukit Broga, Bukit Kembara, Air Terjun Kubang Gajah (fondly known as Air Terjun Sofea Jane), Bukit Kutu and Air Terjun Lubuk Kawah.
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