PERAK GAZETTES 887.24 HECTARES OF NEW PERMANENT FOREST RESERVES

IPOH, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The Perak government continues to strengthen its environmental conservation efforts with the gazetting of 887.24 hectares of new Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) as of November.

State Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said the gazettement brings the total area of Permanent Forest Reserves in Perak to 988,412.84 hectares.

“The successful gazetting of the new 887.24 hectares of HSK comprises the Ulu Slim Forest Reserve in the Perak Selatan Forest District covering 846.36 hectares, and the Kuala Gula Mangrove Forest Reserve covering 40.88 hectares in the Larut and Matang Forest District.

“To strengthen forest management in the Kuala Gula Mangrove Forest Reserve, the Perak State Forestry Department has prepared the Kuala Gula Forest Reserve Management Plan for the 2026–2030 period,” he said when winding up debate on the 2026 Supply Enactment at the Perak State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

He said the Perak State Forestry Department, together with various government agencies, non-governmental organisations, institutions of higher learning and local communities, remains committed to implementing the Malaysian Greening Programme through the 100 Million Trees Planting Campaign.

Teh said the effort aims to increase forested areas in Perak, and as of November, a total of 11.27 million trees have been planted statewide, surpassing the target of 10 million trees set for 2025.

“In addition, SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd conducted a monitoring audit for sustainable forest management certification [MC&I (SFM)] in September 2025. The audit found that Perak’s forest management certification remains valid until May 31, 2029.

“The retention of this certification proves that the Permanent Forest Reserves in Perak are managed under the Sustainable Forest Management System and in accordance with international standards,” he said.

He added that representatives from the Netherlands Government also conducted a working visit under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Timber Procurement Assessment Committee (TPAC) to evaluate sustainable forest management certification in Malaysia in February 2025.

“Perak was among the locations visited, alongside Sarawak. The evaluation found that the Netherlands Government was satisfied with the sustainable forest management certification implemented and has issued a letter of appreciation to the parties involved,” he said.

-- BERNAMA