Why Not Preserve the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve?

The Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) currently covers about 958ha of peat swamp forest – a small remnant of a much larger forest that was degazetted and converted for development over the last 50 years. This forest reserve has been home to the Temuan tribe for more than a hundred years, and it also supports critically endangered species such as the Malayan Sun Bear, Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel and the rare Langat Red Fighting Fish. Now, the reserve is now facing an unprecedented threat – the Selangor State Government is proposing to degazette about 97% of the area, for a mixed development project. We discuss what's at stake with the degazettement of this forest reserve with Leela Panikkar, the director of Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES) and Batin Samsul Anak Senin, the Chairman of Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung Orang Asli in Kg Busut Baru.