JULY 2022 was a momentous month for forest sustainability in Malaysia thanks to two important developments: The adoption of ecological linkages within the Central Forest Spine (CFS) Master Plan to guide forest planning and development in Peninsular Malaysia, and the amendments made to the National Forestry Act to tighten excision regulations in permanent reserve forest (PRF) lands, to add a new category of forest conservation classification, and to increase penalties for forest offences.

The first milestone, the adoption of ecological linkages within the CFS Master Plan was approved during the 40th meeting of the National Physical Planning Council and is a clarion call to build forest connectivity, arrest further forest fragmentation, and re-enforce forest ecosystem sustainability.

Increasingly, the forests of Peninsular Malaysia are being converted to other form of land uses. This has resulted in the creation of large blocks of isolated forests that are separated from contiguous forests complexes within the CFS.

Thus far, 37 ecological linkages have been identified to bridge these segregated forests through primary and secondary linkages to enable wildlife and genetic resources to move freely between segregated forests and to maintain biodiversity.

Primary linkages are linear, unbroken stretches of forest land connecting isolated forest islands to the main contiguous blocks of forest within the CFS. Secondary linkages are individual forests that are separated by vast areas of non-forested lands or too far apart to be connected.

To improve habitat permeability, collaboration with surrounding landowners using the “stepping stones” approach will be adopted, with connectivity achieved by stringing along forested patches to link up with those isolated areas acting as stepping stones. Floodplains, waterways and river courses are natural stringing candidates to reconnect isolated forests.

Effective execution will depend on the willingness of all agencies and stakeholders to collaborate. The adoption of these guidelines will modify future land development practices and spatial control consistent with forest conservation objectives.

Though ecological corridors may be applicable for mobile species like mammals, insects and birds, there are gaps still to be addressed, like the less mobile species namely, trees and vegetation. Of equal importance is the need to focus on the health of pollinators (small animals, birds and insects) to enable them to proliferate and be a catalyst to a healthy crop of trees and vegetation consistent with its role as ecological linkages.

Since these are just “guidelines”, much work is still required by the Forestry Department in Peninsular Malaysia to translate them into forest policy and operating procedures. Nevertheless, it is reflective of responsible planning for how ecosystem restoration is going to happen, followed by actions on the ground enabled by investments in monitoring and tracking the restoration.

The second milestone is the amendment to the National Forestry Act by the Dewan Rakyat on July 18, 2022 - which was timely indeed as the last amendment to this Act was made more than three decades ago!

The amendment sees the adoption of a more comprehensive set of national legal frameworks that are more in line with current sustainable forest management practices. Among the major items are new provisions regarding forest excision, a new category of forest conservation classification, and increase in penalties for forest offences.

Under the Federal Constitution, forestry matters come under the purview of the respective state authorities. However, forest excisions have always been a bone of contention among the rakyat. Now included in the amendment are provisions requiring state authorities to conduct a public inquiry prior to carrying out forest excisions within the PRF, as well as the need to replace the excised area by an equal or larger size land area.

Sadly missing in the amendment, however, is the follow up to the public inquiry to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance without which excisions tend to be shrouded in secrecy.

There is also a new category of forest classification - the state park. This is an additional category in the definition of PRFs. This acts as a catalyst to encourage states to gazette more of their forests under this category, which is totally protected.

Another positive development is the increase in penalties for offences committed in PRFs. Offences included those related to illegal logging and rubbish burning and littering within a PRF. These vital forest protection measures incorporated into the amendment will hopefully deter potential offenders.

We welcome the passing of the amendment to the National Forestry Act (Amendment) 2022 by Parliament and hope it can be expedited through the Dewan Negara to become legally effective at the Federal level. Equally important is the role of state authorities in adopting and implementing these amendments at the earliest opportunity,

Their adoption will strengthen sustainable forest management in Peninsular Malaysia to ensure that our forest continues to perform its multiple functions effectively.

DR DAVID CHIN

Fellow/ past president

Institut Rimbawan Malaysia

https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/08/09/a-quiet-victory-for-forest-sustainability-in-peninsular-malaysia