CAMERON HIGHLANDS, May 30 — The issuing of Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) to eligible farmers in the Cameron Highlands can prevent illegal land clearing, especially in the hilly areas, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G.Palanivel said today.
He said by doing so, it could prevent incidence of mud floods and landslides from happening.
The issuance of the TOL to the farmers concerned had been agreed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, he added.
Palanivel said the farmers would be required to renew the TOL annually.
“These farmers have worked the lands of 20 and 30 acres, so we have to maintain the land for agriculture,” he said at the Cameron Highland Green Programme and Enhancing Integrity in Environmental Preservation at the Gunung Siku Forest Reserve here today.
On the programme, Palanivel said it involved planting of another 4,000 trees in Compartment 5 of the forest reserve.
A total of 8,000 trees had been planted in the 12.85-hectare reserve forest area, he added. — Bernama
