IPOH: An upcoming vegetable farm project in Tringkap, Cameron Highlands, needs to be stopped as its development has impacted the environment and the people there, says an environmental activist.
Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH) president A. Dilip Martin said the project, which was situated on top of a hill in Tringkap, is believed to have contributed to the recent flash flood in the area on May 1.
"The flood had severely hit Kampung Tringkap, causing extensive damage to homes and loss of belongings that could not be saved.
"Although the headwater originated upstream in Tringkap, the situation was worsened by the mud and soil from land-clearing activities on the hill above the village," he added.
He said that these activities caused the river to overflow into the residents’ homes.
"REACH respectfully appeals to the Pahang state government to review all approved development projects and immediately halt any projects that do not comply with the conditions set by the local authorities," he added.
Dilip Martin said the safety and well-being of the people should be prioritised in all decision-making.
"Do not wait for lives to be lost before taking action. By then, it will be too late.
"There had already been a few flooding incidents, but it was not as bad as the recent one on May 1.
"A serious question needs to be asked about the approved Environmental Impact Assessment when this project clearly poses a risk to public safety.
"How is it possible that planning permission to develop a farm was granted within a zone gazetted as forest?" he added.
Dilip Martin also called on the relevant authorities at the highlands to do what is right.
"Shouldn’t we be following official planning documents such as the Cameron Highlands District Local Plan, which cost millions to produce and was officially gazetted by the state government?
"If such documents are ignored, it becomes a massive waste of taxpayers’ money," he said, adding that REACH has also highlighted the matter to all relevant departments but was met with silence.
"The Department of Environment should also not remain silent on this matter," he added.
