Source : Daily Express, Sabah, 25 Feb 2005
By : Daily Express
  

Its Parliamentary Secretary, Sazmi Miah, said the ministry was closely monitoring the situation especially in the densely-populated Klang Valley and might have to carry out the cloud seeding despite its high cost.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a Kelantan Cooperatives Development Committee meeting, here Thursday, he said the drought was likely to prolong until May and hoped that the people would abide by the government's directives to prevent untoward incidents like fires.

"No one should carry out open burning which can cause forest fire. The situation will get worse with forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia," he said.

He said negligence had caused fires in several forests and hills in Johor, Perak and Kelantan.

Sazmi said the fires could have started from open burning and spread when the flames went out of control during the drought season.

"Environment Department personnel are carrying out patrols and those who breach the rules (against open burning) will be charged," he said.

On the takeover of the eco-tourism park, Paya Indah Wetlands, in Kuala Langat, Selangor by the Wildlife and National Parks Protection Department (Perhilitan) from the Malaysian Wetlands Foundation (MWF) next Tuesday, he said it was a temporary action to ensure habitat conservation.

"The Ministry will help redevelop the park and we do not know until when Perhilitan will manage it," he said.

MWF has to hand over the management of Paya Indah Wetlands, developed in 1997, to the government due to the lack of funds. - Bernama