BATU PAHAT: The Johor Forestry Department today advised the public, especially nature lovers, to adhere to the regulations for entry into permanent forest reserves.
State Forestry Department director Datuk Salim Aman also advised the public to reduce hiking activities in forests during the current rainy season.
To reduce the risk of accidents and in compliance with the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) currently enforced, the department has closed all state parks, including Eko Rimba parks, as well as hiking areas in permanent forest reserves.
“The department hopes that the public will adhere to the ruling,” he said when contacted today.
He said this when commenting about an incident where a woman died when she slipped into a ravine while climbing Bukit Banang yesterday.
According to Salim, the department’s investigation found that the site of the incident was not under the supervision and management of the state forestry department.
Checks also revealed that the area was near a telecommunications tower that was off limits to the public.
“It is believed that the victim entered through private land to reach the incident site, which was gazetted as a permanent forest reserve under the Johor National Forestry Enactment (Adoption) 1985 (Act 313),” he said.
Entering the area without a permit is a crime according to Section 47, Act 313 and any individual found guilty can be fined no more than RM10,000 or jailed for a maximum of three years, or both.
In the 11.30 am incident yesterday, Aina Nabilah Yusof, 20, died after suffering severe injuries to her body and head after slipping into the 80-metre ravine. — Bernama
