The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will retain 52 hectares of forest in Bukit Gasing, which is in the process of being gazetted as a green lung, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail said today.

NONE Fuad gave his assurance that no development would be allowed within the area.

He was responding to a picket held by residents of Bukit Gasing yesterday, who voiced concern over the green lung and their safety following the construction of bungalows on the hill by developer Gasing Meridien Sdn Bhd.

Fuad told news conference in Kuala Lumpur that the residents had been informed of the results of a detailed evaluation by the Federal Territories Sensitive Environment Area Development Coordination Committee on May 10, 2007.

On Jan 30, 2008, a work plan on the development of bungalows in Bukit Gasing was endorsed by the committee, chaired by the Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Ministry secretary-general, he said.

"In principle, the developer can carry out work on the land upon being granted a work permit by DBKL," he added.

Fuad urged the residents to be patient as the Court of Appeal will decide on the bungalow development case tomorrow.

- Bernama