Forest reserve destroyed in the name of progress.

I live close to a forest hill that the residents here call Gunung Lambak. This is a gazettted forest reserve. It used to be a nice and peaceful place where the locals could relax over the weekend.


The streams, monkeys, squirrels and birds make us feel close to nature. For the strong and healthy ones, a walk up the hill is a good challenge.


A few years ago, tractors and lorries moved in to develop a multi-million-ringgit eco-resort. A short walking path was included in the project. A children`s playground was added.


Today our forest hill has deteriorated due to erosion and neglect. The eco-rresort has gone bust. The small animals and birds have gone while the many streams have also disappeared and in those left behind, the water is no longer clear.


What made it worse was the haphazard building of homes in the area. Hills and valleys were cut to create housing lots for the rich and famous. Trees were felled and timber co9llected into piles.

There was no notice to inform the public about this development. This had been a good area for a nature park. But the authorities opted to destroy it for good. We hear people talking of preserving the ecosystem in the country but here, in Gunnung Lambak, they are doing the
exact opposite.