obmar
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Geotechnical Study For Dev'ment Of Areas More Than 15 DegreeOctober 05, 2006 22:36 PM
Geotechnical Study For Dev'ment Of Areas More Than 15 Degrees Gradient
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- All state governments have agreed to further tighten the rules for developing hillside areas by immediately requiring geotechnical study for areas with more than 15 degrees gradient.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said Thursday the definition for highlands was also revised to include all heights as long as geotechnical studies were conducted for those with more than 15 degrees slope.
Prior to this, hillside developments were defined as those involving areas with more than 35 degrees gradient, while highland developments involved heights of more than 300m.
The new guidelines were meant to preserve the environment because a geotechnical study could determine the structural impact, erosion and landslide potential for areas with more than 15 degrees gradient.
Speaking to reporters at the ministry after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Coordination of Highlands and Islands Developments, Azmi said this meant that all developments involving areas with more than 15 degrees gradient must have a geotechnical study regardless of the height or size of the areas.
He said a geotechnical study was different than an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report as the former requirement was merely a guideline and not a law.
"We aim to include it as a regulation under the Town and Country Planning Act but this may take time until amendments to the law can be made," he said.
On islands, he said there were 869 islands in the country, including 269 that have yet to be named, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak.
On the haze, Azmi called on Indonesia to ratify the Asean Transboundary Agreement on Haze so that concrete actions could be taken in combating the situation.
He said all the 10 Asean member countries had ratified the agreement except for Indonesia, thus affecting their concerted efforts in tackling the issue.
-- BERNAMA
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The Inquisitor
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Bridge,
Do you have a lot of problems with mudslides in residential areas?
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obmar
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Heavy tropical rains and removal of the vegetation cover increases the possibility. Once a while it does happen but not that serious.
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