MALAYSIA: State Governments told to practise sustainable forest management
Copyright 2001 New Straits Times (Malaysia)
November 16, 2001
PUTRAJAYA, Thurs. - State Governments should take steps to prevent over- logging and to practise sustainable forest management as required by the International Tropical Timber Organisation, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.
The Deputy Prime Minister said under the Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001- 2005), the National Forestry Council proposed that the maximum area for logging be set at 1.36 million hectares, or 272,870 hectares a year. Of these, 42,870 hectares - which are expected to yield 2.75 cubic million of timber - are in the peninsula; 60,000 hectares (2.89 cubic million) in Sabah and 170,000 hectares (9.5 cubic million) in Sarawak.
Under the Seventh Malaysia Plan, there was a shortfall in the felling of timber from the designated areas.
A total of 1.38 million hectares had been set aside but only 1.05 million hectares were felled.
He was speaking after chairing the 16th National Forestry Council and the second National Mineral Council at the Prime Minister's Department.
Most of the States were represented by their Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers.
Abdullah said any failure in implementing the sustainable forest management policy could effect Malaysian export of timber and wood products, especially to the European market.
"There is a need for a more proactive approach in sustaining and maintaining our forests. The thinking which only view forests as a source for timber has to be changed."
Abdullah said other products, like honey, could also be tapped from the country's permanent forest reserve.
"For example, in areas known to have a lot of beehive, the trees there should be preserved."
In other areas, he said tourism and recreational projects could be developed, incorporating the natural environment.
Abdullah said State Governments should also not depend solely on their forest reserve for timber.
"Rubber trees and other species can be grown for their timber," he added.
Abdullah said revenue from export of timber, sawn timber, plywood, veneer and wood-based products for last year had increased to RM17.7 billion compared to RM17.1 billion in 1999.
At the same time, he said the timber industry has provided 260,000 job opportunities.
Abdullah said State Governments had also been told to implement the requirements under the Malaysia Timber Certification Council.