TOL Will Curb Haphazard Cameron Highlands Land Clearing – Palanivel

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G.Palanivel has proposed issuing Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) to illegal farm operators here to curb haphazard land clearing.

"Although they're operating illegally, we want the cooperation of the land and district offices to issue TOL with the appropriate fees. Let them occupy the land they're on now and not expand it further," he said after presenting aid in conjunction with Chinese New Year in Brinchang here Thursday.

He said the proposal was based on the fact that the farmers have worked on the land for years and some were even exporting their crops.

The various agencies including the Department of Environment and Department of Minerals and Land have agreed to the TOL during the discussions held, he noted.

"All parties have agreed for the farmers to maintain the land they're occupying and be issued a TOL. They won't be evicted for the time being so we hope they will also cooperate with us," he said.

Palanivel explained that some of the illegally cleared land would be replanted with a variety of trees to prevent erosion which could lead to natural disasters such as land and mud slides.

An English daily had earlier reported that the illegal clearing of land was still being carried out despite last year's (October) flash floods tragedy which claimed three lives.

It further claimed that "the Pahang government's gloves are off as it moves in on those involved in illegal land-clearing and farming in Cameron Highlands."

"It has sat down with the Natural Resources and Environment, and Home ministries to discuss a massive crackdown to arrest the problem once and for all. They are closely guarding the details of the operations, as they learnt from past operations, that those they were after were often tipped off," the daily added.

-- BERNAMA

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TOL Will Curb Haphazard Cameron Highlands Land Clearing - Palanivel