THE Sarawak government will continue to focus on strengthening diverse restoration strategies, including intensifying tree planting programmes in the state with an allocation of RM4.1 million to be provided next year.
When tabling the Sarawak Budget ’25, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is part of the forest landscape restoration programme.
“Forest landscape restoration programme is a key priority for Sarawak to achieve its environmental sustainability goal.
“This programme will contribute to sustainable development through restoring the ecological, social, economic values and functionalities of degraded forest landscapes.
“Implementation of this programme is in line with the National ‘Greening Malaysia Programme Through 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign 2021-2025’, and Sarawak’s target to plant 35 million trees by 2025. As of June 2024, this target has been exceeded,” he said.
He said this when tabling the second reading of the Sarawak Budget ’25 at the second meeting of the third session of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Abang Johari, who is also Finance and New Economy Minister, said a sum of RM2.8 million will also be set aside next year to gazette a land area of one million hectares as Totally Protected Area and Wildlife Protections (TPAs) by 2025.
“As a measure to preserve forests and wildlife in Sarawak, we will allocate RM62 million to Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) for its operation and another RM21 million for its development projects,” he said.
On a related note, he said to promote the sustainability of forest resources, protect the environment, and ensure social security within forest operations, the government mandates that all long-term forest timber licences and qualifying forest plantations must secure forest management certification.
“Presently, Sarawak boasts 25 certified natural forests encompassing 2.33 million hectares, along with 8 certified forest plantations covering 124,090 hectares,” he said.
He also said Sarawak has set a target to certify three million hectares of natural forests and 178,000 hectares of qualifying forest plantations.
“This initiative aims to implement sustainable forest management practices that adhere to rigorous international standards, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in forest management and fostering global market confidence in Sarawak’s forest products,” said Abang Johari.
