Concerned Ipohites along with representatives from Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc), Menteri Besar’s Office, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Persatuan Activis Sahabat Alam Malaysia (KUASA), Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (PEKA) paid a visit to Kledang Hill on Thursday, March 7.
The much-publicised land clearing activity on Kledang Hill has been a hot topic among Perakeans after Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) raised the issue.
Almost 10 out of 400 hectares of the land have been cleared off.
According to SAM field researcher, Meor Abdul Razak, Ipohites should work closely with the state government to rehabilitate the affected land. “We’re ready to lend a helping hand to restore Kledang Hill to its former glory. About 10,000 trees need to be replanted and this will take some time. Works on the hill slope have begun. I suggest the state government organise a community project so we can work together to restore what has been removed,” he added.
Moharani, a representative from PSM said the public deserved to know the culprits behind the land clearing. She added that whatever had been done by the previous government should not be continued by the present government.
A local resident, Goh Ah Poon, 61, said he was ready to go up the hill to plant trees and to restore the site to its original state.
“The beautiful forest is what makes Ipoh special. We wouldn’t want our future generations to live in a city filled with oil palms,” he lamented.
Joelyn
