-
16
LAND-USE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE MULTIMEDIA SUPER
CORRIDOR, MALAYSIA
Hassan Abdulaziz
Department of Geography Adamawa State University, Mubi,
Nigeria
[email protected] ABSTRACT Changes in land use and cover are
the driving forces towards modification of the environment. These
can be linked to economic and physical developments. The changes
are
taking place at faster rate, and most of the changes are
irreversible and have both local and global impacts. Malaysia has
experienced rapid economic and physical development in the past few
decades, which allowed the provision of basic infrastructures and
facilities. Most of
the developments are concentrated within the state of Selangor,
and is a state with vast environmental resources. The research was
conducted at Paya Indah wetland sanctuary and its surrounding
environs (10km radius)including Denkil town, situated in the
Multimedia
Super Corridor in the state of Selangor, including Denkil town.
More focus on the area because of importance of the wetland, which
faces various environment related problems as a result of
development activities and land use changes in the area. A total
number of 240
questionnaires were administered during the course of this
study. Based on the research conducted at the study area, the
findings indicated that the rate of development within the
surrounding of the wetland (10km radius from the wetland) is
significant. This can be
attributed to rapid rate of economic growth, urbanization and
physical development in the area and the state at general. Land
degradation, water pollution and reduction in vegetation are among
the major environmental problems affecting the wetland. Even with
the
application of planning tools such as land use zoning,
environmental impact assessment, planning permission and approval
in regulating development and land use activities in the area,
environmental resources of the area are still threatened. Keywords:
Land Use Change/Cover, Development, Planning, Environment and Paya
Indah Wetland
INTRODUCTION Economic development in Malaysia has triggered the
demand of land for development and
increased the rate of urbanization. It is associated with
changes in land use and cover, alteration of natural setting of
both urban and rural environments in order to support urban and
related uses. Spatial and temporal changes in land use and cover
are among the
fundamental issues of the 21st century. It is the driving force
towards environmental modifications and conversion, which resulted
to environmental deterioration and related social disruption. Land
utilization type must be designed to ensure that the natural basis
of
living is sustained in the long-term run (Amler et al, 1999);
this is due to the importance of the natural living. The land
utilization is irrespective of rural or urban. According to Newman
and Jennings (2008), urban land uses and activities are largely
dependent on biodiversity,
and wetlands are inclusive. Wetlands are valuable environmental
resource and have
Volume 3, March 2011
2011 Cenresin Publications www.cenresin.org
Journal of Environmental Sciences and Resource Management
-
17
undergone serious modification by humans. Wang, Wang and Kubota
(2006), states that, wetlands are fragile in nature, and represent
valuable environmental resource with
representation of some special ecosystem. However, urbanization
has changed peoples lifestyle, land use, demand for energy and
increased environmental pressure (Ascione et al, 2009). Similarly,
land use change and cover have incredible consequences on
wetlands
status (Chinners, Brown and Lane, 2009); affect ecological
landscape function and processes (Papastergiadou et al, 2007).
Urbanization and land use change have resulted to disruption of
natural environment within the Multimedia Super Corridor (region
where Paya Indah
Wetland is located). However, the Ninth Malaysias Plan
(2006-2010) intensified incorporation of environmental components
into planning process and development in order
to further enhance integrated land use planning. It also
developed some guidelines for protecting and conserving
environmentally sensitive areas.
Land use planning is vital in creating better urban form,
protecting the environment and public health. It is a key element
of an effective natural resource management, which tends to create
a balance between ecological systems, economic and social
requirements
(Wehrmann, 2011); means of controlling land development through
imposing some kind of legal limitations on the land owners (Abia
and Jaria, 2006); secure consistency and continuity in the
execution of national policy with respect to the use and
development of land (Jones et
al, 2005). This is to limit some of the negative impacts of land
use activities and development on the environment and other
existing infrastructure. Land use and environmental planning have
some tools such as zoning, planning permission and approval, and
also environmental
impact assessment used to regulate the activities of land use
and development.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
This research is focused towards identifying and assessing the
impacts of urban land-uses within the Multimedia Super Corridor
(surrounding Paya Indah wetland). There has been drastic changes in
the land use of the area from mostly forest and agricultural to
industries,
commercial, residential, public and other related uses. These
changes results to increased pollution of the wetlands water
bodies, reduction of vegetation cover and degradation of the
valuable environmental resource which is land. These are the
major problems occurred during the implementation of the 7th and
8th Malaysias Plans, because they are more concerned with economic
and physical developments. Moreover, the issue of water
pollution
is among the major concern of the Ninth Malaysias Plan
(2006-2010). Urbanization has strongly distorted many natural
landscapes throughout the world, and has contributed significantly
to the crisis of biodiversity loss and fragmentation or
deterioration of ecosystem
and their services (Jingle, 2008). The growth of urban centers
in the Multimedia Super Corridor, and the developments adjacent of
Paya Indah Wetland has contributed to environmental pollution and
land degradation, which subsequently results to irreversible
damage to the natural ecosystem. Kenneth (2009) states that
urbanization and semi natural forest accounted for greater spatial
extent of wetlands conversion and utilization. According to Nik and
Associates (1999), the peat basin (Paya Indah Wetland Sanctuary)
has been
subjected to number of piece meal economic development, and with
the increase in
Hassan Abdulaziz
Land-Use Change and the Environment of the Multimedia Super
Corridor, Malaysia
-
18
urbanization rate in the Multimedia Super Corridor, Paya Indah
wetland can suffer land degradation and excess runoff. Similarly,
according to Kuala Langat Local Plan 2020, urban
land uses are expected to increase due to proposal of some new
settlements in the area. Therefore, the study will cover
environmental aspects of the wetland which includes water quality,
vegetation cover, land use change and land degradation.
STUDY AREA Paya Indah Wetland Sanctuary is located between 10110
and 10150 longitude, to 250
and 300 latitude in the District of Kuala Langat, and sharing
boarder with the District of Sepang, all in the state of Selangor
as shown in figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Land Use Map of Kuala Langat Showing Paya Indah
(Source: Kuala Langat Local Plan 2020)
It is part of the Kuala Langat North Permanent forest reserve.
It has an area of 3100 ha, and it was an ex-tin mining area with
open lakes. It consists of three zones namely: Conservation zone,
educational zone and recreational zone. The wetland is located in a
strategic area in
the Multimedia Super Corridor. The adjacent and the nearest town
is Dengkil. Othman (2006) stated that the area is a green lung with
rich ecosystem, and has 14 lakes which resulted from tin mining
activity and chopping of swamp peat forest. Similarly, Zakaria,
Rajpar and
Sajap (2009) added that Paya Indah Wetland Sanctuary has diverse
topography, vegetative features and climate with splendid natural
setting.
MATERIALS AND METHODS This research employed mixed methodology,
which is the combination of both the qualitative and quantitative
methods. Data for the research was collected using various
instruments
such as questionnaire, interview, observation and analysis of
relevant planning documents.
Volume 3, March 2011 Journal of Environmental Sciences and
Resource Management
-
19
The target populations are the local communities surrounding the
wetland (10km radius) and five public agencies (State Department of
Town and Country Planning, Department of
Environment, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Kuala
Langat and Sepang Local Planning Authorities). The local
communities understand the local environment better, and are able
to detect minor changes within the environment, while the agencies
were selected
due to responsibilities shouldered upon them, such as:
preparation of development plans, approval of projects
proposal/land use change, enforcement of planning /environmental
regulations, monitoring and protection of environmental resources
in the region. A total
number of 240 questionnaires were administered. 180 to the
residents of the local communities within the surrounding wetland
(10km radius) using random method of
sampling, while 60 to the agencies using purposive method of
sampling, which is a non-random sampling that allows a researcher
to locate all possible cases of a highly specific and difficult to
reach population (Newman, 2006). In this case, only samples that
can provide
relevant information were selected. Unstructured interview was
conducted with five staff of Paya Indah Wetland, and also a field
study was also undertaken on the site to physically observe some of
the events and activities. Data collected was analyzed using
Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). A test of relationship
between land use activities/changes and environmental problems was
carried out using Spearmans correlation (Spearmans rho). Other
pictorial data were also presented.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In the course of the study, both the
Selangor State Structure Plan and the Kuala Langat Local
Plan were studies and analyzed, the study was focused on
proposals within the Multimedia Super Corridor. This is to
determine whether further proposals of development projects can
have effect on the wetland. The analysis revealed that, proposal of
developmental projects is
done with little consideration of the wetland as both
environmentally sensitive area and conserved areas. Meanwhile, the
wetland is of national importance and habitat for diverse flora and
fauna. It is also a vibrant recreational area. The Kuala Langat
Local Plan 2020 has
proposed the development of new Kampungs (settlements) adjacent
of the wetland irrespective of the existing ones; this is due to
the fact that, the growth centers in the region
are saturated with developments and therefore, development in
the neighborhoods can be very difficult to regulate. Presently,
there are some pending approvals for other developments in the
area. This can in the near future have diverse impacts on the
wetland.
The findings of the research also indicated that the Multimedia
Super Corridor which is the area where Paya Indah wetland sanctuary
is located is undergoing serious modification in land use and
cover; this is due to rapid rate of economic and technological
advancement in
the country since the past few decades. These gave rise to
development of industries, residential units and public facilities
among others. Some of the industries located within the radios of
10km are oil mills and recycling industry, while some are still
under construction.
These make the intensity of development there to be significant.
The types of environmental problems identified in the area are
water pollution of the wetlands water bodies, urban runoff,
biodiversity extinction, reduction in vegetation, land degradation,
and seasonal
flooding as shown in figure 2. These problems are mainly caused
by activities taking place
Hassan Abdulaziz
Land-Use Change and the Environment of the Multimedia Super
Corridor, Malaysia
-
20
within the surrounding wetland, among which are industrial
developments/activities, commercial activities, agricultural
activities, mining activities and other infrastructural
developments. These can be attributed to rapid rate of
urbanization in the area which strives towards both economic and
physical developments.
Figure 2: Environmental Problems Affecting Paya Indah and its
Surroundings (10km radius)
Source: Field Survey, (2010)
The study identified that there is a relationship between the
causal factors and the effects of environmental problems in the
area. Land use change as a cause and land degradation as an effect
have indicated a relationship of 0.304*, this is quite true because
urbanization,
economic and physical development such as industrial,
commercial, residential and other public facilities are associated
with change in land use and cover. It further exposes the land of
the area to various threats such as erosion, flooding, mudflow and
many others. During
the course of the research, most of the land degradation in the
area (10km radius from Paya Indah) was due to industrial
development (refer to plate 1 in figure 3), excavation (refer to
plate 2 in figure 3), residential and other forms of development
(refer to plate 3 in figure 3).
Plate 3 Plate 2
Plate 1
Volume 3, March 2011 Journal of Environmental Sciences and
Resource Management
-
21
Figure 3: Land Degradation due to Industrial, excavation and
other Forms of Development Source: Field Survey, (2010)
Urban development is fast encroaching the wetland boundary from
the east, west and south. This has reached an extent that the
wetland is sharing boarder with an institution and also
with residential areas, as shown in figure 4 below. This is a
clear indication that without strict development control measures
and enforcement of necessary regulations, part of the wetland may
be used for further development in the near future.
Figure 4: Map of Paya Indah and its Surrounding Land Uses
Source: Kuala Langat Local Plan (2020)
Industrial activities and water pollution have shown a
significant relationship, with a correlation coefficient of 0.377**
at 0.01 significance level (2 tailed test). The liquid and
semi-liquid waste generated by the industries flow into the water
channels, which end up in
the wetlands lakes. This affects the water quality of the
wetland and the region in general. Water pollution due to
industrialization is among the major concern of the Ninth Malaysias
Plan (2006-2010), where integration of environmental components
into land use planning is
among the measures to combat the problem. Sand mining adjacent
of the wetlands lakes
Hassan Abdulaziz
Land-Use Change and the Environment of the Multimedia Super
Corridor, Malaysia
-
22
such as the Tasik Terati (Lotus Lake) as shown in figure 5 below
also pollutes the water. Most of the sand mined in the area is used
for construction in the ongoing developments in
the area.
Figure 5: Sand Mining Adjacent Tasik Terati (Lotus Lake)
Source: Field Survey, (2010) According to an unstructured
interview with the staff of Paya Indah Wetland, developments in the
area are in accordance with the State Structure Plan 2020 and Kuala
Langat Local Plan
2020. But an activity like sand mining is an illegal activity
because license/permit has not been granted to the people carrying
out the activity. They also stated that the water bodies adjacent
to the mining areas dose not only pollute the water with sand, but
end up causing
oil spillage which affects the aquatic animals. Based on the
results obtained from the study, Paya Indah wetland sanctuary is
suffering from various environmental problems, and these
problems can be attributed to economic development. Other
factors include rapid rate of urbanization, industrialization,
infrastructural development, which gave rise to change in land use
and cover among others. The result obtained also proved that there
is significant
relationship between land use change and environmental problems.
CONCLUSION
Paya Indah Wetland inhabits vast flora and fauna, it should not
be forfeited to development of all kind and the natural services
provided by it should not be underestimated. Despite the effort of
the Department of Wildlife and National Park in increasing the
number of birds
population, planting trees and ensuring that the lakes ecosystem
are balanced, the wetland is still threatened by developments and
land use changes. However, it is pertinent to note economic and
physical developments are the target of most nations of the modern
world.
These are the factors of increased distortion of natural
setting, more room for urbanization,
Volume 3, March 2011 Journal of Environmental Sciences and
Resource Management
-
23
land use change and cover so as to meet the needs of these
developments. Furthermore, it is inevitable to stop them; rather
they can only be minimized through proper land use and
environmental planning, with the incorporation of environmental
components into planning process. There is need for strict
regulation of development and land use activities in the area due
to high intensity of development. In addition to planning tools
used in controlling and
regulating development and land use activities in the area such
as land use zoning, planning permission and environmental impact
assessment, the use of density control and carrying capacity in the
area is highly recommended.
REFERENCES
Abia, H.K. and Jaria, A.M. (2006). Theory and Practice in Land
Use Planning in Malaysia: An Overview. In Abia, H.K. and Zubaidah,
S. A. (Eds) (2006). Land use Planning and Environmental
Sustainability in Malaysia: Policies and Trends. Kuala Lumpur:
Research Centre International Islamic University Malaysia.
Amler, B., Betke, D., Eger, H., Ehrich, C., Kohler, A., Kutter,
A., von Lossau, A., Mller, U.,
Seidemann, S., Steurer, R. and Zimmermann, W. (1999). Land Use
Planning Methods, Strategies and Tools. Germany: Deutsche
Gesellschaft fr Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH.
Ascione, M., Campanella, L., Cherubini, F., and Ulgiati, S.
(2009). Environmental Driving Forces of Urban Growth and
Development: An Energy-Based Assessment of The
City Of Rome, Italy. Journal of Landscape and Urban Planning.
Volume 93, Issue 3-4. pp 238-249
Chinners, K. R., Brown, M. T. and Lane, C. R. (2009).
Characteristics Community Structure of Floridas Subtropical
Wetlands: The Florida Wetland Condition Index for Digressional
Forested and Flowing Water Forested Wetlands. Journal of Wetlands,
Ecology and Management. Springer Netherlands.
Economic Planning Unit. (2006). Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010).
Kuala Lumpur: National Printing Department.
Jingle, J.W. (2008). Toward A Landscape Ecology Of Cities:
Beyond Buildings, Trees, And Urban Forests. In Carreiro, M.M.,
Song, Y.C. and Wu, J. (Eds). (2008). Ecology, Planning And
Management Of Urban Forests: International Perspectives, Part I.
Springer Series on Environmental Management.
Jones, C., Baker, M., Carter, J., Jay, S., Short, M. and Wood,
C. (2005). Strategic Environmental Assessment and Land Use
Planning: An International Evaluation. London: Earthscan.
Hassan Abdulaziz
Land-Use Change and the Environment of the Multimedia Super
Corridor, Malaysia
-
24
Kenneth, A.C. (2009). Monitoring wetlands deterioration in the
Cameroon coastal lowlands: implications for management. The 6th
International Conference on Mining Science & Technology
Procedia Earth and Planetary Science. Volume 1(Issue 1), pp
1010-1015.
Kuala Langat Local Plan 2020
Newman, P., Jennings, I. (2008). Cities as Sustainable
Ecosystem: Principles and Practices. Washington: Island Press.
Nik and Associates (1999). The Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC):
Macro Drainage Master
Plan. Main Report, Volume II. Prepared by Department of
Irrigation and Drainage. Kuala Lumpur: Dr Nik and Associates.
Othman, A. (2006). Panduan Pengecaman Lapangan Avifauna Paya
Indah Wetlands. Kuala
Lumpur, Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara,
(PERHILITAN).
Papastergidou, E. S., Retalis, A., Kalliris, P and Georgiadis,
Th. (2007). Land Use Changes
and Associated Environmental Impacts on the Medeteranean Shallow
Lake Stymfalia,
Greece. Journal of Hydrobiologia, Volume 584, Issue 1, pp
361-372. Selangor State Structure Plan 2020
Wang, G., Wang, Y. and Kubota, J. (2006). Land-Cover Changes and
its Impacts on Ecological Variables in the Headwaters Area of the
Yangtze River, China. Journal of Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment. Volume 120, Issue 1-3, pp 361-385.
Wehrmann, B. (2011), Land Use Planning: Concept, Tools and
Applications. Eschborn/Germany: Deutsche Gesellschaft fr
Zakaria, M., Rajpar M. N. and Sajap, A.S. (2009). Species
Diversity and Feeding Guilds of
Birds in Paya Indah Wetland Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia.
International Journal of Zoological Research. volume 5, issue 3
page 86-100.
Volume 3, March 2011 Journal of Environmental Sciences and
Resource Management