PUCHONG, 9 May: The Seri Aman Lake Park, which was once famous among anglers because of the presence of catfish in the lake, has now become a preferred location for littering by irresponsible parties.
The Kampung Seri Aman Residents Association Secretary, Rosman Rahmad, 46, said that reclamation activities using litter on the banks of the lake is becoming more prevalent recently.
“Kampung Seri Aman has lost its shine due to these immoral activities. This recreational park is no longer a preferred destination for anglers, and even the economic activities of food traders here have been severely affected.
“Immediate action needs to be taken. Do not let Kampung Seri Aman be known as ‘Kampung Seri Sampah’ (rubbish) before relevant authorities pay attention to it,” he said.
It is understood that the lake, nicknamed Lombong Buaya (Crocodile Mine) has been filled with trash over the past year.
A survey by Selangor Kini found that in less than 30 minutes, several lorries loaded with garbage unloaded trash at the lake bank.
Broken furniture, construction waste and wood chips were clearly seen floating in the lake and as of now, about 10 percent of the mining area has been successfully reclaimed.
Rosman imagines that in less than five years, the lake will disappear and become a flat land if no serious action is taken to address the problem.
“Apart from being a recreational place, it serves as a catchment area for rainfall before being channelled into the Klang River.
“Now, the lake is shallow and narrow. It is possible that during heavy rain, this village will flood and if the lake disappears, flood will certainly occur frequently, making it a threat to the residents,” he said.
Rosman urged the local authorities to regard this matter seriously for the sake of common interest and for future generations.
“The state government and local authorities need to take drastic action to preserve the lake. Residents should also play a role and not take the easy way of making the lake a ‘garbage bin’, including reclamation activities.
“If it is not preserved, it is a loss the residents themselves,” he said.
The Seri Aman Lake Park was a former tin mine before being upgraded to a recreational park with various facilities such as rest huts, chairs, fishing platforms, public toilets and food stalls.
The facilities and the beauty of the lake are attractions for recreation, picnics and fishing for people from all over.
Its beauty has also attracted the attention of artists by making it a location for drama filming and video clips of local artists.
