For years, many delighted in driving up the steep slope along Jalan Maarof, heading towards the Bangsar Shopping Centre.
This area once boasted mature trees and was blanketed by lush greenery. The slope on the left side was home to some of the finest indigenous trees and shrubs – the pride of Malaysia’s ecosystem.
Foreigners, including those who live in the vicinity, had also expressed their admiration for this stretch of road. As a regular walker, I too relished the beauty of this area.
But to the shock and horror of motorists and residents alike, that magnificent foliage is now gone.
Over the last three weeks, it has become a barren site. The slopes are now brown and dry, visible as one enters Jalan Maarof from Pavilion Damansara. The tree stumps and rock outcrops can be clearly seen.
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It is a revolting sight, akin to a small wasteland marring this part of the city.
Residents of the many houses and condominium blocks along the slope – including Bangsar Tower, Taman SA, Menerung and Sri Penaga across the road – are horrified at what has happened.
The residents, along with environmentalists, have taken to social media to express their anguish over the removal of so much greenery. They lamented that Bangsar had once been celebrated for balancing urbanisation with the preservation of the natural environment.
The residents have scouted the area to find out why the trees and shrubs were cleared so mercilessly. They remain unaware of the reasons for the clearing. No notices have been posted and neither could the workers enlighten them.
Ironically, the prominent signboards that proclaim that the land had been gazetted as a green lung by Kuala Lumpur City Hall still stand. I am confused!
With the current hot spell and dry season, this landscape now stands in sharp contrast to the earlier lush greenery that graced the area.
The residents have pleaded to their MP for Lembah Pantai, Fahmi Fadzil, who is also Communications Minister, to restore what has been lost.
As someone who is passionate about Bangsar, I am heart-broken to see this once-green area now looking so desolate. Over the years, I have seen the environment in Bangsar slowly being destroyed by the proliferation of condominium blocks and high-rise buildings.
The Bangsar I knew in the 1970s no longer exists. Any vacant space is rapidly filled by the obnoxious, expanding concrete jungle.
People living nearby are also worried and upset about the visible damage to the environment.
Now that we are feeling the devastating effects of climate change, we must do all we can to protect the environment. We must prevent any destruction of the ecosystem.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
That is the usual tactic that is employed
Send the crew in & hey presto overnight the land is cleared before anyone becomes aware or can protest
Truly Sad..