Separating Kuala Kangsar and Ipoh lies the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve in Perak where plans to convert a large swathe of it into a forest timber plantation are brewing, estimated to begin this year.

With a total of 4,280 hectares, roughly the size of 5,994 football fields, the project seeks to use the area for the development and operation of a plantation for up to 50 years.

The Department of Environment (DOE) announced on Dec 28 last year that it is reviewing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project, which is open for public viewing until Jan 26. Public feedback for the project will close on Feb 10.

According to the EIA report sighted by Malaysiakini, the project aims to plant forest products in the form of timber...