Early warning system to be installed at high risk locations in 20 forest eco parks

MUAR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- The Forestry Department will install early warning systems at 20 forest eco parks at risk of of landslides and water surges due to uncertain weather conditions this year.

Its director-general Datuk Indera Mohd Ridza Awang said the department would install eight systems costing RM3.2 million beginning next month, while the rest will be installed by the end of the year at the latests.

“The systems will be installed in Lata Iskandar Forest Eco Park, Perak; Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park, Perak; Sungai Tua Forest Eco Park, Selangor; and Sungai Pandan Forest Eco Park, Pahang.

“The system will be installed at strategic locations in areas at risk to water surges and will issue a warning siren when such incidents occur,” he told reporters after officiating the North Ayer Hitam forest reserve biodiversity scientific expedition seminar at Muar Traders Hotel.

He said the sirens would provide warning to visitors, increasing their chances and giving them time to get out of the high-risk areas.

“The department will also work with other agencies under the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry to identify other locations besides forest eco parks to install these systems to avoid the issues faced during the incident that occurred in Baling, Kedah,” Mohd Ridza said.

Meanwhile, on the scientific expedition that has been conducted since 1999, he said it was an important effort to gather data and information on the biodiversity of the forests in the country.

“A total of 54 participants from eight universities managed to record 267 species of flora and 114 species of fauna at the North Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in the latest expedition held from April 14 to 17,” he added.

-- BERNAMA