IPOH: The Perak government has limited the implementation of its Forest Plantation Development Zone to 32,375ha or around 3% of the state’s Permanent Reserved Forest (PRF).
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state decided to scale down the actual development footprint from 100,000ha 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 state assembly sitting yesterday.
Azman had asked if the state government plans to open more forest plantation areas within the PRF.
Saarani added that as of Dec 31 last year, a total of 31,566ha had been approved for forest plantation development, leaving only 809ha yet to receive approval.
He said of the approved area, 8,810ha have been developed with 8,184ha planted while 626ha is currently undergoing planting. Another 22,756ha remain undeveloped.
“Any opening of forest plantation areas within PRF is strictly subject to the limit already set. At present, there are no plans to open or expand new areas,” he said.
Separately, state education committee chairman Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah said 163 bullying cases in schools were recorded last year.
Khairudin said the district with the highest number of cases was Kinta Utara with 42 cases, comprising 39 in schools, two in hostels and one outside.
“Up to Feb 28 this year, a total of 24 bullying cases were reported statewide.
“This includes 18 cases in schools, four in hostels and two outside school areas,” he said when replying to Chaw Kam Foon (PH-Menglembu) who asked on plans and measures to address the issue of bullying occurring in educational institutions in the state.
