Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian Nature Society and Badan Warisan Malaysia are going all out to preserve the natural and historical heritage of Federal Hill.
DRIVING past the Jalan Travers Police Station from Bangsar towards Jalan Damansara, it is hard to miss the lush greenery on the left.
Despite rapid development surrounding the area, that pocket of green remains and it is especially refreshing during the afternoon.
That little green heaven is Bukit Persekutuan, formerly known as Federal Hill.
The hill, which was allocated by the then Federated Malay States for European government servants, has its own history and natural wealth.
Aside from the magnificent archi-tectural structures from a bygone era, the hill is also home to various species of flora and fauna.
However, all of this may soon be a thing of the past, to be swallowed up by rapid development surrounding the area. The hill could be gone, unless efforts are done to conserve it.
Its location, being adjacent to Kuala Lumpur City Centre, bounded by the KL Sentral Commercial Area, the National Museum, the Lake Gardens and the Bangsar and Damansara residential areas, makes it prime land for development.
“The development of the KL Sentral Commercial Area and its city centre location has introduced new threats to Federal Hill.
“Currently the hill is federal land, belonging to the Federal Department of Land and Mines.
“If even a forest reserve could be de-gazetted for development, what more federal land,” Malaysian Nature Society former president Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said.
Although a recent check by the society with City Hall`s town and planning department confirmed that there were currently no development proposals for the area, Salleh said the land was not a protected area.
According to him, City Hall is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the buildings and surroundings at the hill.
In efforts to conserve the hill and its heritage, the association is teaming up with Badan Warisan Malaysia and would do all they could to ensure that the hill remains as a green area for the public.
Together, they have submitted a proposal to the government to turn the 70ha Bukit Persekutuan into an urban park and also a site for the Natural History Museum of Malaysia. The proposal was submitted to the Prime Minister and relevant authorities at the end of last year.
“The proposal recommends that the hill, as an extension of the Lake Gardens, be conserved for ecological functions, environmental education and recreational use,” MNS executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong said.
“The hill is the only living forest in the city centre now.
“It has many mature trees and animals and is a stopover area for migratory birds,” he said, urging the public come forward to join the fight.
At the hill, one can enjoy a scenic view of various species of forest trees scattered along the slopes and gullies, separated by single lane roads with old government bungalows.
Visitors are greeted by the sounds of nature amidst the refreshing greenery.
It is hard to believe that one could still enjoy such natural luxury without having to leave the city centre.
Dr Loh added that keeping the hill as a green area would complement the surrounding development as it would reduce the heat, clean the air, absorb rainwater and control pollution in the area.
There is also a lot of history surrounding the place. When it was first developed during the pre-independence years, the hill was one of the most prestigious addresses to have.
Its most illustrious neighbour at the time, as it is now, was the Lake Gardens. Among the many stately buildings found here are the Parliament House, the Prime Minister`s residence in Kuala Lumpur and Carcosa Seri Negara, the former home of the British Resident.
“There are 113 old government bungalows with gardens built probably during the 1950s and these are good examples of early government residential quarters in Kuala Lumpur,” Badan Warisan Malaysian president Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abd Hamid said.
He added the oldest existing building was the MNS office which can be seen on a 1929 map.
Among the earliest government buildings built was Bangsar Hospital, which was constructed in the early 1900s. Nicknamed European Hospi-tal by locals, the modern hospital served the European community staying in the country at the time.
A few decades ago, the hospital was converted into a Health Institute and is currently known as Institut Kesihatan Umum Bangsar or Institut Pengurusan Kesihatan.
Other buildings found in the area are Belia 4B and Asrama Darul Falah (orphanage).
The hill is also home to three palaces - Kedah, Perak and Negeri Sembilan - besides Galeri Seri Perdana, which used to be the official residence of the Prime Minister before it was turned into a gallery after the relocation of the administrative centre to Putrajaya.
“We are also proposing the hill as the location for a Natural History Museum of Malaysia.
“It is most suitable due to its forested area, easy accessibility and proximity to other tourist attractions in the city centre,” Ahmad Sarji said.
Bukit Persekutuan is regularly used by nature lovers in the city and is a favourite site for joggers and jungle trekkers. Many joggers are seen during the mornings and evenings with cyclists and the occasional Hash House Harriers chapter also carrying out activities in the area.
Ample parking space is available at the MNS headquarters to provide convenience for jungle trekkers to venture along the MNS Heritage Trail located nearby.
“This green area is priceless as it serves as the largest green lung within the Kuala Lumpur City Cente.
“It plays multiple roles for the public, especially as a recreational and educational area, a nature conservatory and a tourist attraction.
“We want the public to realise the importance of keeping this area green,” Loh said, adding that the hill should be conserved to serve as a jungle in the city and be preserved for generations to come.
FACTS ABOUT FEDERAL HILL
History
Bukit Persekutuan, formerly known as Federal Hill, was a swampy land and rubber estate established in 1896 during the Federated Malay States for European government servants.
Remnants of rubber trees can still be found.
The area used to be much larger, however, most of the land is now privately owned.
Among the earliest government buildings is Bangsar Hospital (European Hospital) built in the early 1900s. Now developed as the Health Institute or Institut Pengurusan Kesihatan. Most significant building is Galeri Sri Perdana, the former Prime Minister`s official residence.
Current land status
The land is owned by the Federal Department of Land and Mines. Administration and maintenance of the buildings and surroundings is carried out by City Hall.
A recent check with City Hall town and planning department confirms that there are currently no development proposals submitted for this area.
Architecture
There are 113 old government bungalows with gardens built during the 1950`s.
The oldest existing building is the MNS office which can be seen on a 1929 map. There are three palaces at the hill belonging to the Kedah, Perak and Negeri Sembilan households.
Nature`s wealth
The flora and fauna includes more than 65 species of local and migratory birds, long tailed macaques, tree shrews and monitor lizards.
Plenty of mature forest trees are scattered along the hill slopes and gullies including big timber trees like tembusu, nyatoh tembaga, jelutong and pulai.
Source: thestar.com.my (28 Januari 2008)
