Can private land ownership prevent gazetting of the firefly habitat?

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Private Land Ownership Complicates Gazetting of Firefly Habitat

The gazetting of the Kampung Dew firefly habitat as a protected area has been hindered by issues related to private land ownership. The State Land and Mines Office (PTG) has identified that the land in question is owned by several private entities, a situation that has complicated the process of officially designating the area for conservation. This ownership complexity means that standard procedures for gazetting public land are not directly applicable, requiring alternative approaches to secure the habitat.
Legal Avenues for Land Acquisition

Despite the challenges posed by private land ownership, there are legal mechanisms available to facilitate the gazetting process. Sahabat Alam Malaysia field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman has pointed to Section 9 of the Forestry Act 1967. This legislation outlines the provisions for the acquisition of land, enabling it to be constituted as a permanent reserved forest. This suggests a pathway for authorities to secure the land for conservation purposes, even if it is currently under private ownership.
Historical Commitments and Current Status

The intention to gazette the Kampung Dew area as a protected zone, specifically as the Fireflies Forest Reserve, was announced by the state government as early as 2013. However, the process has faced significant delays, with local groups expressing concern that no concrete action has been taken to formalise its protected status. The involvement of private land ownership is cited as the primary reason for this prolonged delay, preventing the area from receiving the necessary legal safeguards.
Ongoing Efforts to Establish Boundaries

In response to the complexities, the Perak Forestry Department has been collaborating with the Kerian Land and District Office and the Department of Survey and Mapping Perak. These efforts are focused on accurately establishing the precise size and boundaries of the area. Once this foundational work is completed, the department intends to proceed with the gazetting process, aiming to designate the land as a permanent forest reserve and provide a more secure future for the firefly habitat.

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Can private land ownership prevent gazetting of the firefly habitat?

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