Recreational activities banned at forest reserves

Weekend outing: People still visiting a camping site in Ulu Bendul near Ipoh despite warnings and the area being temporarily closed to the public. — Bernama

JOHOR BARU: Recreational activities have been temporarily banned in all permanent forest reserves in the state due to the rainy season.

According to a notice posted on the state Forestry Department’s Facebook page, the ruling came into effect starting yesterday until further notice.

“All forest eco-parks, hiking trails and four-wheel drive routes in Johor permanent forest reserves are closed to the public until a date to be announced later.

“This closure is a precautionary measure to avoid any unwanted incident or accident during the rainy season,” it said.

It warned that those who failed to adhere to the ruling would face action under the Johor National Forestry Act (Adoption) Enactment 1985.

In Ipoh, Bernama reported that the city council had instructed all tourism operators in areas at risk of landslides and water surges to temporarily cease operations.

Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said a notice would be sent to all operators tomorrow to ensure the instruction is adhered to.

“We have closed two locations – Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Meru, and Bukit Bangkong, Chemor – since early November.

“We acted following advice from the Minerals and Geoscience Department, which informed us that the soil in the areas is quite soft due to the high rainfall and can pose a risk to visitors,” he told reporters after attending the Battle of the Buskers finale here yesterday.

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi advised all campsites near hill slopes and rivers to be temporarily vacated following the current uncertain weather conditions.

The landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm camping site in Batang Kali, Selangor, on Friday has so far claimed 23 lives.