VI. PROBLEMS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANNED ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
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This chapter outlines the problems which exist in the planning and implementation of environmental measures, and discusses the integration of environmental considerations into development planning which is essential to meeting the expectations of the public for well-balanced development and a high standard of living. At the local authority level, the general population looks for the provision of general amenities and provision of -services that makes living in urban and built environment comfortable and safe.
Environmental issues need more than legislation and enforcement. Enforcement is a punitive aspect of ensuring compliance with environmental laws. As long as the sanctions are high enough and consistently applied, a high degree of compliance can be expected. However, that approach is very expensive and needs constant vigilance on the part of the authorities. As soon as enforcement efforts waver or any weakness is shown in pursuing prosecution, there is every likelihood that the degree of compliance will be reduced. Greater effort should be made towards promoting voluntary compliance. To ensure lasting impact, environmental issues have to be tackled at all levels of society. A comprehensive set of initiatives is required that encompass proper environmental planning and environmental awareness. There must be genuine concern on the part of the general public over environmental issues. Preventive and restorative measures must be taken consistently and effectively in order to impress upon everyone that the environment is a common concern and that no offending parties will be spared the full force of the law. The best and strongest hand is the political will to take a long-term view of the impact of development and economic programmes on the environment. That is not to say that development and environmental issues are "either-or" propositions. Such a diametric view will not find support, even among the most ardent environmentalists. It is now an accepted tenet that the cost of development need not be environmental degradation.
The impact of environmental problems is even more pronounced in urban areas and can thus have dramatic consequences. Urban areas concentrate human activities to such an intensity that the various environmental issues are raised together and with increased frequency. Some of the major impacts of pollution are on health and safety, leading to increased health costs, lost working days and higher mortality rates. Pollution also leads to reductions in visibility, aesthetics and recreational values.
Overcrowding and heavy traffic result in much time being wasted in extended travel, stress and overcrowding of public amenities. The degradation of natural systems leads to the loss of recreational and open green spaces, flash flooding from increased surface water run-off as well as heat built up. The severity of the flash flood problem has resulted in the implementation of the Klang valley flood mitigation and Kuala Lumpur drainage programmes.
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