PETALING JAYA: The annual allowable cut (AAC) in permanent reserved forests (PRF) has been reduced to 890,000ha under the 13th Malaysian Plan to further protect the forests.
Down from 1,165,300ha in the previous plan, the move reflects Malaysia’s commitment to balancing economic needs with forest conservation.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic) said the reduction of AAC would positively impact forest conservation, sustainable forest management practices, as well as the country’s economic and social needs.
“This will subsequently guarantee a continuous and stable quantity of wood supply to the industry,” he said in a statement on Saturday, in conjunction with the International Day of Forests, themed Forests and Economies.
Kurup highlighted that the forestry and agriculture sector contributed over RM6bil to last year’s gross domestic product, demonstrating the benefits of sustainable forest harvesting.
He said the ministry was also working to reduce reliance on conventional logging and transform the sector into sustainable forest-based eco-tourism.
“The ministry, through the Forestry Departments of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, and other states, is actively developing forest-based eco-tourism areas which have unique natural qualities,” he said.
He said state governments would be prioritised for the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation allocation to streamline online applications and payments for PRF entry permits for eco-tourism purposes.
Kurup also revealed that the Forest Research Institute Malaysia was also guiding rural communities on environmental conservation through training programmes and technical support.
“As a result of this guidance, the local communities will be able to manage, run businesses and activities that are based on eco-tourism and recreation in a more systematic, competitive and sustainable manner, without compromising on the forests’ ecosystem,” he said.
He added that forests rich in biodiversity benefit both the environment and the nation’s heritage that need to be preserved for future generations.
“As such, we are committed to preserving and conserving this vital asset so that its sustainability can be enjoyed by all Malaysians, now and forever,” he said.
