By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
KUALA LANGAT, June 30 — The state government plans to issue forest reserve land permits in Kuala Langat Selatan Forest Reserve (KLSFR) for use as temporary cash crop farms.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said this is to curb illegal encroachment activities in the area that have resulted in a yearly forest fire.
However, he said only 1,700 hectares out of the 8,000 hectares forest reserve area was proposed for temporary agricultural use.
"A 21-year temporary license will be issued to companies or any individual interested in carrying out cash crop farming activities," he said after inspecting the recycled waste tires fire at Jalan Bandar Lama, Telok Panglima Garang yesterday.
He said the investigation on the yearly forest fire in KLSFR found that it was done by illegal farmers who used foreigners to clear the land before planting sweet potatoes, yams and dragon fruit.
Earlier, a forest fire broke out in KLSFR four days ago involving an area of more than 2.8 hectares.
