IPOH: Non-governmental organisation Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is concerned about several development proposals at hillslopes in Perak, including some in Cameron Highlands.
Its field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said there were several projects planned for residential, commercial and agriculture purposes throughout the state.
He said uncontrolled development, or land use conversion at hilly areas, could have an adverse impact on the environment.
“The geophysical characteristics of hilly areas are sensitive to activities that involve destruction or alteration of the current land use due to the soil structure that can easily erode.
“Significant land use destruction activities at the proposed sites, especially during earthworks, can cause soil surfaces to be exposed to rainwater runoff and lead to slope erosion during heavy rain. This could possibly lead to a mud flood,” he said when contacted.
Meor Razak said Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah had in 2018 directed the Perak government to stop issuing permits for agriculture or development purposes bordering Cameron Highlands to prevent landslides and other disasters from occurring.
He said each time he met the decision makers, he constantly reminded them about the royal directive.
Meor Razak said although the latest landslide was believed to have occurred due to natural soil movement with the high level of rainfall recorded, the authorities must not turn a blind eye on the possibility of earthworks being carried out for agriculture purposes in the vicinity.
Kinta Valley National Geopark adviser Prof Emeritus Mohd Shafeea Leman said generally, hilly natural slopes take a long time to stabilise.
The former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia geologist said: “It is definitely not stable if a natural slope is cut and not according to the geological structure, and this would ‘invite disasters’.”
“It is always advisable to avoid development at several stretches, because if such activities are carried out, the chances of landslides occuring are higher.
“If there is a natural landslide that occurs then there is a possibility of blockage upstream somewhere or underground water flow due to heavy rainfall recorded,” he added.