SHAH ALAM: Some of the estimated 61 campsites under the Hulu Selangor municipality are unlicensed, with a part of them even encroaching on government land, the state government revealed.
State local government committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) had carried out a census in 2018 on campsites under its jurisdiction but this needed updating to ensure that operators conducted their activities safely.
“Some of these campsite operators were found to have encroached on government land,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Ng added that the MPHS had met with resort and campsite operators to ensure the activities they carried out were safe.
He also announced that the Selangor government was in the process of formulating guidelines for campsites in the state.
“We need to learn from the (Batang Kali) tragedy and regulate all camping or glamping activities,” he said, adding that they were now conducting out a survey on all types of campsites as these were not clearly specified under the business licence category.
He acknowledged that local councils did not have specific regulations for campsite activities, saying these were “sub-activities” run by hotel and resort owners.
“Camping and kayaking are considered sub-activities, so the operators need to apply for a business licence. The census will determine if existing sites are ecologically sensitive or risky areas,” said Ng.
Once the census is completed, he said a workshop would be held with relevant stakeholders to draft the guidelines.
“Campsites are always in inconspicuous areas near rivers or forests, and this is not made aware of by the local councils,” he said, adding that the state government would work with the Selangor Forestry Department on developing the guidelines.
