KUANTAN: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail has called for extensive operations to address illegal vegetable farming in forest reserves in Cameron Highlands, so as to put an end to unauthorised land clearing activities.
He said that the Pahang Forestry Department was fully responsible for the forest reserves in the state and must intensify efforts to prevent encroachment.
"We will not compromise with those who illegally clear forest reserves for agriculture in Cameron Highlands. Strict action will be taken to ensure the highlands remain a sustainable tourism destination," he said when contacted today..
Wan Rosdy's remarks follow a recent joint operation by enforcement agencies on Sept 23, which targeted illegal vegetable farms spanning 14.86ha within the Mentigi and Bertam Forest Reserves.
The cleared sites will undergo rehabilitation, with suitable highland forest trees, such as Meranti Bukit and Gerok, being planted to restore the area.
Since 2020, the Pahang Corporation Sdn Bhd has embarked on a "land whitening" (legalising land through a rental scheme) programme involving 5,526ha of agricultural land in Cameron Highlands.
All lands previously issued Temporary Occupation License (TOL) comprising 78 blocks covering 5,526ha in Cameron Highlands are leased to the Perbadanan Setiausaha Negeri Pahang.
In July, the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah expressed concern over farmland rented out to farmers and leased to foreigners in Cameron Highlands.