Residents seek gazettement to protect Bukit Utama Forest Park

A coalition of Bandar Utama residents is calling for the permanent gazettement of Bukit Utama Forest Park (BUFP), citing its critical role in environmental conservation, flood mitigation and community wellbeing.

For 35 years, the forest park has remained a significant green space within the rapidly urbanising landscape of Petaling Jaya. Residents describe the park as a vital “green lung” that supports biodiversity while offering recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.

The park is home to a mature forest ecosystem featuring native flora, including Kapok trees, and serves as a habitat for wildlife such as water monitor lizards, birds and numerous insect species. At its centre are three interconnected cascading lakes that function as a natural detention system, helping to reduce local flood risks during periods of heavy rainfall.

Residents argue that the ecological value of the park extends beyond recreation, aligning with broader sustainability goals related to environmental protection and climate resilience.

Residents push for legal protection and formal maintenance

The community’s primary concern is the absence of formal legal protection for the site. Without gazettement, residents say the park remains vulnerable to rezoning and future commercial development.

To strengthen conservation efforts, residents have formed the Friends of Bukit Utama Forest Park (FBUFP), a volunteer group affiliated with the Bomba Komuniti Bandar Utama. The group aims to support biodiversity conservation while monitoring issues such as illegal dumping, fire hazards and environmental degradation.

On May 30, representatives of the community informally submitted their concerns and proposals to Selangor executive councillor and state assemblyperson YB Jamaliah Jamaluddin. Copies of the correspondence were also sent to Councillor Danny Chan and Councillor John Leong.

Among the key requests are the initiation of a formal gazettement process by the Selangor government and the inclusion of the park under the maintenance programme of the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ).

Residents said preserving the forest park would safeguard an important ecological asset and help ensure a more sustainable future for Bandar Utama and its surrounding communities.