Analisis Guna Tanah dan Implikasinyaterhadap Persekitaran FizikalLembangan Sungai Bernam 1984-2004

Landuse Analysis And Its Implications on the PhysicalEnvironment of the Bernam River Basin, 1984-2004.

Abstract

Various economic development policies have been implemented by the government of Malaysia to provide benefits to the people. Development activities cause changes to the land use of an area and leaves impacts to the physical environment. The Bernam River Basin is part to new development focus area to improve the development congestion in the Klang Valley. This study was conducted to identify the changes in land use that occurred in the upper reaches of the Bernam River Basin from 1984 to 2004, and its implications to the environment. The land use data were obtained from the Department of Agriculture and rainfall data were obtained from the Department of Drainage and Irrigation. Time-series analysis was conducted to assess changes in the long run. It was found that forest land use in this area decreased from 689.2 km2 (1984) to 536 km2 (2004). The dwindling of the forest land use is associated with land clearing activities for oil palm agriculture and for the development of new township of Proton City and housing estates. Agricultural land for oil palm cultivation increased but the rubber land use decreased. Analysis of rainfall showed a slight decrease in the long term but no significant changes in the amount of rainfall was recorded. Any development in this area ought to be controlled so that it does not affect the physical characteristics of the basin which can ultimately cause inconvenience to the people.