ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. case study of Pulau Pinang -Hill top destroyed !!!

what is environment?
The environment is the complex set of physical, geographic, biological, social, cultural and political conditions that surround an individual or organism and that ultimately determine its form and the nature of its survival. 
(The World Bank 2013)

what is conservation?  (SharAmbrosia, 2008-2013)
Conservation is the protection and management of the environment, natural habitats, wildlife species, or ecosystems.  Conservation emphasizes wise human use of resources: the areas, plants, or animals are protected and maintained for current and future human use and benefit.  Conservation may include restoring damaged ecosystems, preventing further degradation of resources, reversing habitat loss, and preventing further population declines of threatened and endangered species.

Conservation is different with Preservation! 

what is preservation? (SharAmbrosia, 2008-2013)
Preservation is the protection of nature with little to no human disturbance.  The ecosystems, habitats, or wildlife species are protected for their own benefit. It is the goal of preservation to keep the plants, animals, ecosystems, or habitats in their original state or ‘pristine condition’, and to protect nature from human development.  In preservation, there is restricted to little to no management, and little human disturbance of the ecosystem or species.  The areas, plants, and animals are generally protected in the current state they are in.

For me, environmental conservation mean human wisely distribute resources while maintaining environment where the environment is encompassed built environment (i.e. colonial building), natural environment (i.e. forest) and cultural (i.e. traditional dances) where these aspect must be protect in order to achieve sustainable development. However, we seem more focusing in natural environment than the built environment and cultural. 

In my opinion, sustainable development is the ability of next generations in satisfy their need without worrying although the expansion or improvement is ongoing day-by-day to satisfying current human need.  In other words, it’s defined as the wisdom management by human towards the natural resource in term of quality and quantity and also the economic efficiency. The main aim is, to ensure that the natural resources able to use by human in the very long term.

I'm sure that every human know that our natural resources were been fast finished then our expectation if we didn't protect and control the usage. However, they are still a part of them tend to exploit our mother earth. In this economic-oriented world, some of them are willing to exploit it merely due to the profit making opportunities.     

The latest issues, destruction of the Bukit Gambier hill top even thought it has 110 metres above sea level with slopes of gradient greater than 25 degrees.  The Bukit Gambier project had been approved by Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) as a housing area. The Beverly Height project, 17 bungalows priced at RM4.8m-RM6.3m will be constructing on the hill. The approved building plan is MPPP/OSC/PB(3251)/10(LB).

The plan had been approved by government itself .
http://www.epbt.gov.my/osc/Borang_info.cfm?ID=161306&NoForm=Form3

But, according to Rancangan Struktur Negeri Pulau Pinang 2020, development of housing, hotels, resorts, commercial and industry is not allowed on hill land which been gazetted under the Akta Pemuliharaan Tanah 1960, and the land above 250 feet and or with greater than 25 degrees.So, who should we pointing out above this issue? Are they didn't know the impact? 

The impact on land is great upon our environment especially the forest ecosystem, water catchment area. The hill cutting has causing severe soil erosion. Thus, the later earth work for hosing and road construction will intensify the erosion level. Besides that, the hill clearing progress is directly destroying the biological diversity. The habitat of animal species affected through the tree cutting. The water catchment area spoiled as well due to the clearing of vegetation activities.  

Thus the safeness of surrounding residents threatened. The severe soil erosion then will bring to landslide especially after heavy downpour. In related to that action, the retaining wall of Bukit Gambier was collapse due to the landslide incident where this added its dangerous level upon surrounding residents. 

Bukit Gambier hill destruction 

http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/bukit-gambir-waterfall-turns-murky-an-early-warning/

Why are the state government, the MPPP, the Forestry Department, the Department of Environment approved the OSC meeting and approved the zoning conversion? The engineers, site inspectors and planners was confirmed the site condition with without any concern or comment?  The Environment Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment report are done and they are passed?

Logically it would not been passed, I pretty confirm. Maybe there is political or corruption issues have involved inside. This kind of issues is happened again; destruction of Bukit Relau hill top. How the responsibility and capable of related parties in solving this such kind of issues?          

references:

SharAmbrosia (2008-2013). Eco Living: Conservation and Preservation. 

[Online] http://www.allnaturalbeauty.com/articles/eco-living/733-eco-living-conservation-and-preservation

The World Bank Group (2013). 

[Online] http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTABOUTUS/0,,contentMDK:23262083~pagePK:51123644~piPK:329829~theSitePK:29708,00.html