Sungai Kajang beach is a mangrove swamp reserve forest
BANTING: The Sungai Kajang Beach area in Tanjong Karang that was confiscated recently is a mangrove swamp forest reserve in Selangor.
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs of the state Hee Loy Sian said the action of the Selangor State Forestry Department (JPNS) to confiscate the area is a step to preserve the mangrove swamp reserve.
“We want to preserve the mangrove swamp trees in the area because there has been an invasion that damages the environment, especially the trees.
“We don’t want to block visitors who come (out for recreation). We want to protect the environment there. There are too many people in that area,” he told reporters after the launch of the Lantern and Flower Festival at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple here last night.
Commenting on whether any action will be taken against the constructions that have been built in the area, Hee said he will discuss the matter with JPNS Director Datuk Ahmad Fadzil Abdul Majid.
Member of Parliament for Tanjong Karang Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi previously urged JPNS to provide an explanation regarding the confiscation action made on 10 January last.
In other developments, Hee said the state government will develop an online permit application system to facilitate the entry of visitors to the forest reserve which is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.
He said that so far, the application for a permit to enter the forest reserve is still done manually at the JPNS.
Yesterday, JPNS announced the re-opening of Eco Forest Parks and climbing activities in Selangor starting on February 1 next and it covers six Eco Forest Parks and climbing routes in three areas, namely the Hulu Selangor Forest District, the Central Selangor Forest and the Klang Beach Forest.
