Sultan Nazrin and Tuanku Zara being briefed about the construction of the viaduct by Kuala Kangsar/Hulu Perak JPS engineer Abdul Khadir Abdul Aziz (right) at the launch. — Bernama photo
Project a feather in the cap under Central Forest Spine Master Plan For Ecology Corridorsand
GRIK: The construction of a viaduct for wildlife crossing at Kilometre 147 of the East West Highway here is an example of success under the Central Forest Spine (CFS) Master Plan For Ecology Corridors.
Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said to implement the masterplan, 37 forest ecology corridor networks involving eight states had been identified with the Belum, Banding, Temenggor and Grik forest reserves for Perak.
“For starters, the ministry identified the ecological corridor in Grik, for the construction of the first viaduct.
The Cabinet approved RM60 million under the 10th Malaysia Plan’s Second Rolling Plan, during its meeting on April 1, 2011 to begin the pioneer project in Grik,” he told reporters after the launching of the Amanjaya Forest Reserve (CFS) Ecology Corridors viaduct and the Tropical Rainforest Living Collection Banun (TRLC-Banun) project site here, yesterday.
The launching was performed by Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah. Also present were the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Hamim said the high population of wildlife such as elephants, tigers and gaurs in the Belum-Temenggor Forests was the main factor for the implementation of the CFS pioneer project.
He said the project would take four years to complete, namely, from 2012 to 2015. “The construction of the viaduct is one of the measures to provide space so wildlife especially large mammals such as elephants, gaurs, tigers and others can cross roads safely,” he said.
The construction of the viaduct was also recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records as the ‘Longest Multiple Span Composite Bridge Constructed Using Ultra-High Performance Concrete’ (UHPC). — Bernama