MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times (page 5)

This has brought about flash floods and surface water runoff in the area, Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Law Hieng Ding said today.

However, between 1993 and 1996, vegetative cover in the same area rose by one per cent following tree planting projects by the local authorities.

Law said this was based on a study, conducted by the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing, which obtained data from the United States' Landsat Satellite.

He cited simultaneous small and large scale land clearing and cutting of hillslopes as examples of unco-ordinated planning while the development projects included the construction of residential, commercial and industrial areas.

"We also noticed a pattern in the development. Usually, a particular area would be rapidly developed at the same time," he said.

He added at present, places like Putrajaya, Sepang and Cyberjaya were undergoing rapid growth.

Law said local authorities should co-ordinate development projects to ensure they were not carried out simultaneously.

He added the Ministry would be meeting officials from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council soon to inform them on ways to avoid losing more green areas.

Law said the authorities should utilise technologies like remote sensing and geographic information system in the formation of an integrated development plan.

"They should also adhere strictly to existing regulations and guidelines, particularly the environment impact assessment and avoid simultaneous land clearing and cutting of hillslopes," he said.

To ensure the water retaining capacity in catchment areas, Law said natural vegetation in water catchment areas should be completely preserved.

Asked if this showed the failure of the Government's tree-planting project, Law said it was not so as a one per cent increase in green areas was recorded for the last three years of the study.