Bukit Broga closed for 3 months for restoration work

State exco member Elizabeth Wong says land has been damaged following unauthorised encroachment and clearing to plant rubber trees.

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Broga, a popular hiking site in Hulu Langat, will be closed for three months to facilitate restoration work following unauthorised encroachment and clearing of land to plant rubber trees.

“The Selangor authorities received complaints from visitors and hikers that the land was damaged at the end of last month and a drone took photographs of Bukit Broga,” State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said.

She said the closure would take effect immediately, reported the Malay Mail Online.

Wong said a visit to the site revealed that parts of the hill had been terraced off to plant rubber trees.

“The trees were planted by the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) at the end of last year for the economic benefit of the nearby Orang Asli community,” Wong told a press conference at the foot of Bukit Broga on Thursday.

JAKOA obtained approval from the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to plant the rubber trees but did not inform the state government, she said, adding that both agencies had been issued with a cease-and-desist letter.

Wong said both JAKOA and Risda were called to attend the Selangor Economic Action Council meeting on Wednesday where they were censured and reprimanded for their actions.

“It was decided during the meeting that the public will not be allowed access to the area for any recreational activities while the hill undergoes restoration work,” she said.

Wong said the closure was also meant to protect visitors from falling and injuring themselves while hiking.

She said there was soil erosion on the hill due to the terracing of its surrounding area, which had resulted in nearby rivers now being polluted.

She said remedial work would be carried out by the Public Works Department, together with the Hulu Langat Land Office and the Kajang Municipal Council.

The restoration works will include covering the hill’s slopes to halt erosion, constructing a berm drain on the terrace to ensure smoother water flow, and planting signal grass to stop soil erosion.

“The total cost of the restoration is estimated at RM1 million, which excludes the construction of a new road to Bukit Broga for visitors,” she said.

Wong added that the three-month closure would depend on external factors and the hill would be monitored from time to time. - FMT