PUTRAJAYA: Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and approved EIA reports are required for any development or land clearing in an area with a slope greater than or equal to 25° but less than 35o, says Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar.

       He said an EIA and EIA report were also required for the construction of roads, tunnels or bridges traversing an area with a slope greater than or equal to 35°.

       “The DOE will take stern action against any party that does the prescribed activities without an approved EIA report as stipulated in Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974,” he said in a statement following reports of land clearing and tree felling on the slope in Bukit Tabur, Mukim Hulu Kelang, Selangor.

       The law provides a maximum fine of RM500,000 or imprisonment for up to five years or both.

       Meanwhile, Wan Abdul Latiff said he had visited the area with Environment and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang and Selangor DOE director Nor Aziah Jaafar.

       “Land work at the site was halted following a stop work order issued by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council on Sept 11.

       “Based on site inspections and observation using drones, there were no control measures to contain erosion and sediment in slope areas that have been terraced by the developer,” he added. — Bernama