KUCHING: The implementation of selective logging to conserve the forest in the State would ensure a sustainable and continuous forest reserve for the next 25 years of logging cycle, said Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Development and Natural Resources, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In his speech text read by Assistant Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh, he said that the system only emphasised on trees that were mature enough to be cut down whereby the diameters exceed 60cm for Dipterocarp and 45cm for non-Dipterocarp trees, while the residual that is less than the limit will be left to grow naturally.
“Through strict monitoring, the area of forest with less natural regeneration will be identified and the recovery programme such as the enrichment planting with commercial species will be implemented in the area.
“This is to ensure a sustainable and continuous forest stock for the next 25 years of logging cycle,” he said during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting at the new DUN complex in Petra Jaya here yesterday.
Len also noted that the area of reforestation includes forest concessions, fully protected forest and government reserved forest area.
He added that the Forestry Department would also have collaboration programmes with various agencies and organisations in and outside the country for the forest replanting activities in the State.
“This includes public awareness programme which would involve schools, higher learning institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate sectors and also the public.
“Since the implementation of the programme in 2017, about 1,508 hectares of land have been successfully implemented involving inland forest and coastal areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Len revealed that for the year 2017, a total of RM522 million have been collected through the logging production in the state.
“This is including the royalty, premium and also cess,” he said.
