Palanivel orders agencies to act on environmental degradation

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel expressed concern over the environmental issues affecting Cameron Highlands, noting that they were getting more and more serious by the day.

He said the relevant land and district offices, Forestry Department and the Ministry's environment division should tackle the problem urgently.

"Rubbish, plastic and other forms of trash are being dumped everywhere. There is also open burning going on in Cameron Highlands," he said.

In a statement here, he noted that as a result the Fire and Rescue Department had to rush around putting out fires.

It was reported that a landfill in Cameron Highlands had been burning for the past week, raising concern among the public about its effect on the environment.

Palanivel said deforestation and illegal logging activities in other parts of the country were also cause for worry.

These environmental concerns had been raised at a ministry-level meeting in Melaka on Friday, he added.

"The discussions also centred on wildlife poaching involving foreigners who enter the country illegally," he said.