The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) said the authorities should preserve what is left of Kuala Lumpur’s last remaining sizeable green lung.

At a joint press conference today, MNS and Icomos proposed that the authorities build canopy walks and light pedestrian bridges to link Federal Hill to other green belts, including the Perdana Botanical Gardens and Taman Tugu.

MNS senior adviser Salleh Nor also said Federal Hill should be gazetted as a pioneering Urban Community Forest (UCF) project and heritage site.

Salleh said the Batang Kali landslide highlighted the dangers posed by the accumulation of underground water, and that unsustainable development increased the risks of landslides.

“Federal Hill is fragile and prone to landslides, we cannot afford to trigger another calamity,” he said.

“This is our proposal to avert natural disasters such as landslides and soil erosion.”

In a statement earlier, Icomos said it backed MNS’ proposal, adding that it was vital to preserve Federal Hill because of its significant historical, architectural and cultural value.

Last August, it was reported that residents in Bangsar spoke out against a proposed commercial development on Federal Hill, citing the potential adverse effects caused by hillside development.