The annual allowable cut (AAC) in permanent reserved forests (PRF) has been reduced to 890,000ha under the 13th Malaysian Plan to further protect the forests.
Down from 1,165,300ha in the previous plan, the move reflects Malaysia’s commitment to balancing economic needs with forest conservation.
The Star portal reported that the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (pic) said the reduction of AAC would positively impact forest conservation, sustainable forest management practices, as well as the country’s economic and social needs.
“This will subsequently guarantee a continuous and stable quantity of wood supply to the industry,” he said in a statement on Saturday, in conjunction with the International Day of Forests, themed Forests and Economies.
Kurup highlighted that the forestry and agriculture sector contributed over RM6bil to last year’s gross domestic product, demonstrating the benefits of sustainable forest harvesting.
He said the ministry was also working to reduce reliance on conventional logging and transform the sector into sustainable forest-based eco-tourism.
