ON Aug 31, a 30-year legacy comes to an end as Sungai Buloh’s horticultural nursery operators face their eviction deadline.
Despite many appeals and lobbying, the operators are being forced out without any prospects for relocation.
The nurseries, collectively known as Selangor Green Lane, began operations in 1999 following an agreement with Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS).
There were initially 72 nurseries but only 30 remain, owing to road widening and other infrastructure projects.
No one in the state administration has the foresight to deem it necessary to nurture this vital industry, whose future prospects and potential are immense for the economy of Selangor.
A relocation scheme a few years ago to Bukit Changgang near Banting proved to be an utter failure due the chosen site being flood-prone and not commercially viable.
Despite this, the operators took up the offer by paying rental deposits and signing agreements.
The low-lying site needed to be raised by at least a metre high to avoid flooding, while other infrastructure needed to be built.
The costs could come to a few million ringgit, which the operators could not afford, leading to the site being abandoned.
A horticultural hub consisting of around 100 rent-paying nurseries could be a boost to horticulture, landscaping, rehabilitation and tourism efforts.
Horticulture is an industry with a bright future considering increasing urbanisation, beautification and development of the state and country.
Selangor is losing a major opportunity by turning a blind eye to the need for a properly planned and sustainable horticultural industry.
There is plenty of suitable land near urban areas in Selangor.
However, the initiative needs to be taken by PKPS and Selangor government before it is too late.
Sungai Buloh’s horticultural legacy must be preserved.
V. THOMAS
Sungai Buloh
