CAMERON HIGHLANDS: A joint action committee has been set up between the Federal and Pahang governments to resolve the various environmental issues affecting the popular tourist spot.
Deputy Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji said the committee was set up during a meeting here between both sides yesterday.
“We have agreed to have a series of discussions with the Pahang government through the committee, as well as with the various stakeholders on long-term measures to resolve the environmental pollution in Cameron Highlands, especially that which involves the agricultural sector.
“One long-term measure we will discuss is repairing or reserving land banks along the rivers, which will require the cooperation of landowners,” he told reporters after chairing the meeting.
Among others, the meeting focused on issues of land encroachment, illegal farmlands and river pollution in Cameron Highlands.
Also present were the Pahang exco member in charge of environment, Datuk Seri Mohd Shahkar Shamsudin, and Bentong MP Wong Tack.
Other measures, said Tengku Zulpuri, included roping in agencies such as the National Hydraulic Research Institute and other experts to draw up specifications for the type of land that could be safely exploited for agriculture and guidelines for “sensitive” areas.
“We hope that this platform can eventually be extended to discussions on environmental issues in other areas in Pahang.
“But the critical spot now is Cameron Highlands,” he added.
Mohd Shahkar said the authorities were told to act against those flouting environmental laws, adding that programmes would be held to promote awareness among farmers.
“We need to discuss the long-term measures because we don’t want to carry out anything that will also affect the farmers unjustly,” he said.
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