ALOR STAR: All forest reserves and parks in Kedah have been temporarily closed during the northeast monsoon season to prevent accidents.
Kedah State Forestry Department (JPNK) director Muhamad Abdullah said the affected areas included several Taman Eco Rimba (TER), state forest parks and hiking areas in reserves.
"The forestry department has decided to temporarily close all TERs, state forest parks and hiking areas within the reserved forests to avoid any unwanted incidents.
"Recreational activities include mountain climbing, extreme sports, off-road vehicle activities and other types of recreational activities at these areas are temporarily halted.
"This is to avoid any accidents caused by natural disasters or accidents such as falling trees, landslides, flooding, water column incidents and others," he said in a statement here today.
Muhamad said the TERs and state forest parks under JPNK's jurisdiction included Bukit Wang TER in Kubang Pasu; Puncak Janing TER (Padang Terap); Sungai Teroi TER (Yan); Lata Mengkuang TER (Sik); Sungai Rambai TER (Pendang);Tupah TER (Kuala Muda); TER Bukit Hijau and Lata Bayu TERs (Baling), Ulu Paip TER (Kulim) district and Ulu Muda state forest park.
He said there were currently 15 areas closed to any climbing and hiking activities. These are Gunung Jerai, Gunung Kemerlong, Bukit Perak, Bukit Enggang, Bukit Saiong, Gunung Bintang, Bukit Besar Kulim, Bukit Batu Merah, Bukit Fakir Terbang, Bukit Air Terjun Lebai Husin, Bukit Kilim, Gunung Mat Chinchang, Bukit Selat Panchor, Gunung Raya (Tangga Helang Seribu) and Bukit Batu Licin (Pulau Tuba).
"This temporary closure does not include TERs that have been privatised to operators appointed by the state government.
"A total 10 TERs in Kedah have been privatised, namely, Pasir Tengkorak TER, Telaga Tujuh, Air Terjun Temurun, Tasik Dayang Bunting, Gua Cherita, in Langkawi; Seri Perigi TER, Titi Hayun and Batu Hampar in Yan; Perangin Sik TER and Sungai Sedim TER, in Kulim.
"The companies and operators are advised to temporarily stop activities there," he added.