Land use in Malaysia can be for reserve forests, forests, housing, plantations, light industries, heavy industries and many others.

The conversion of land from one use to another must be done accordingly. There is a need to conduct Detailed Environment Impact Assessments (DEIA).

In Malaysia, development of any sort which is more than 50 hectares or on an above Class 3 hill slope needs a study. This is, however, not the case now. I must be pointed out that a land use change may impact not only the environment but humans as well.

In a dialog session with the Department of Environment (DOE) recently, land use conversion was a seriously discussed issue.

The public consultation has put forward that land use conversion of any area size must go through a proper Environment Impact Study. If such a conversion is in the vicinity of an Environment Sensitive Area, it must go through a full DEIA process.

The local authorities must also gazette land use appropriately and they should complement the DOE's actions. There are many cases housing land encroaching closer to gazetted heavy industry areaa. In some cases just few hundred metres..

With the reducing natural forest cover and increasing development, wise decisions must be made for every development project approved.

Malaysia being on of the 13 most bio-diversified countries in the the world must have proper and functional laws to protect the environment.

There are recorded incidences by Fomca of forests near water catchment areas being logged.

A reserve forest and water catchment boundary disturbance will definitely have a direct impact on the source of water.

The same goes for land use. Change in land use will impact not only the environment but humans as well.

We urge the the local authorities, state governments and the federal government take note of the seriousness of losing our natural forest cover.

The writer is programme manager, Environment Desk, Federation of Malaysian Consumers' Associations (Fomca).