IPOH: The Perak government has capped the implementation of its Forest Plantation Development Zone at 32,375 ha, about 3% of the state’s Permanent Reserved Forest (PRF), despite an earlier approval for up to 100,000 ha.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the larger allocation was endorsed during the 68th National Land Council meeting in 2012.
“However, the state later decided to scale down the actual development footprint to ensure better environmental oversight and sustainable forest management.
“The development of forest plantations is being carried out in phases, with approvals not issued all at once.
“This approach is aimed at enabling more structured planning and closer monitoring of environmental impacts, he said when replying to Azman Noh (BN- Pengkalan Baharu) at the Perak State Assembly sitting here on Thusday (April 16).
Saarani said this in response to Azman who asked if the state government plans to open more forest plantation areas within the PRF in Perak.
Saarani added that as of Dec 31 last year, a total of 31,566 ha have been approved for forest plantation development, leaving only 809 ha yet to receive approval.
He said of the approved area, 8,810 ha have been developed, with 8,184 ha planted, another 626 ha currently undergoing planting. Meanwhile, 22,756 ha remain undeveloped.
“Any opening of forest plantation areas within PRF is strictly subject to the ZPLH limit already set.
“At present, there are no plans to open or expand new areas under development zone in Perak,” he said.
Saarani said the Perak Forestry Department reiterated that the phased approach allows the state to balance economic interests with environmental conservation.
“This ensures that forest resources are managed responsibly while supporting plantation development,” he added.
