KUCHING: All forest license holders must implement restoration efforts within their designated areas, with particular focus on degraded forests.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the approach aims to fulfil the states’ objectives for the forest restoration programme, thereby expanding forest coverage in Sarawak and enhancing the livelihoods of its residents.
“The effort of restoring our degraded forests continues to be a priority.
“It is essential for all stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and non-governmental organisation (NGOs), to stay involved and active in these initiatives.
“By working together, we can cultivate a greener and more robust Sarawak,” he said on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this during the opening ceremony of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Forest Landscape Restoration 2024 at Riverside hotel here today.
Awang Tengah expressed confidence that the forest landscape restoration programme in Sarawak will not only enhance the forest ecosystem by supporting the sustainability of its flora and fauna and universally improving the quality of life, but also create new employment opportunities and foster alternative economic sectors such as agroforestry, eco-tourism and carbon trading.
He disclosed that to date, a total of 26 Forest Management Units (FMU), and eight forest plantation management units (FPMU), encompassing 2.38 million hectares and 122,800 hectares respectively have been certified.
“Sarawak has made it mandatory for all our long term forest timber licencees to obtain forest management certification (FMC).
“This is to ensure our forest operation adhere to international sustainability standards and minimise environmental impacts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Forest Department director Datuk Hamden Mohammad said that forest restoration presents a powerful solution, and that healthy forest landscapes are paramount for the collective future.
“This conference aims to bridge the gap between restoration efforts and empowering forest as climate champion.
“By working together, governments, communities, businesses, and NGOs, can turn the tide on the deforestation and embark on a new era of forest landscape restoration,” he said.
