KUCHING: The Heart of Borneo (HoB) will become an area of critical importance for carbon storage.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh said this is because more than 50 per cent of HoB land areas are still covered with forests.
“Hence, the HoB initiative will be benefiting from the recent amendment to the State Land Code and Forest Ordinance in terms of monitoring carbon activities in the state,” he said.
He said this when officiating at a seminar on a HOB scientific expedition to the Pueh mountain forest reserve.
Len Talif also said a wider definition of forest products by including forest carbon in the amendment of the Forest Ordinance will strengthen the forest management in the state apart from increasing the state revenue through the green economy.
“The amendment is another effort by the state to enhance community involvement in promoting the preservation and sustainable use of forests for research, educational and recreational purposes,” he pointed out.
He added this is in line with the state’s government commitment to preserving the forest and promoting outdoor recreation.
“To manage these forests, a community-based approach centred on volunteerism, recreation and nature appreciation will be used.
“With this collaboration, the state hopes the community would be able to uplift their livelihood and support for their sustainable income,” he said.
He also said that researchers and officers need to focus on another field of study which is the mechanism of carbon storage and exchange.
“Logging will be minimised and reforestation will be encouraged with the new developments on carbon in the state,” said Len Talif.
