Sarawak's Strategic Investment In SFM, Renewable Energy To Lead In Environmental Stewardship

KUCHING, Aug 27 (Bernama) – Sarawak is strategically investing in sustainable forest management (SFM) and a diversified renewable energy portfolio to build a resilient and low-carbon future as a leader in environmental stewardship.

State Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said SFM came as an instrumental factor in balancing economic, social and environmental well-being.

“It (SFM) is crucial for enhancing local livelihood, creating employment opportunities, safeguarding environment, and boosting the overall economy by increasing forest productivity and ecosystem services while mitigating climate change impacts,” he said.  

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Speaking when officiating at an Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Forest Landscape Restoration 2024 here today, he said the state government had implemented the best practices in forest management in their commitment to SFM, which include making it mandatory for all long-term forest timber licencees to obtain forest management certifications (FMC).

So far, he said 34 FMC had been issued, of which 26 were for Forest Management Units (FMU) and eight for Forest Plantation Management Units (FPMU), encompassing operation areas of 2.38 million hectares and 122,800 hectares respectively.

Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development said the state government had also mandated all forest licence holders to implement forest restoration efforts with focus on degraded forests. 

“The effort of restoring our degraded forests continues to be a priority. It is essential for all stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and NGOs, to stay involved and active in these initiatives,” he said.

At the national front, he said Sarawak has emerged as a leader in the Greening Malaysia Campaign which aims to plant 100 million trees by 2025, by carrying out its own Greening Sarawak Campaign to plant 35 million trees by 2025, and the goal was already achieved earlier this year. 

“I am confident that the forest landscape restoration program 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,” he said.

Meanwhile, about 300 participants took part in the three-day conference which started today to serve as a platform to identify and reinforce good practices of forest landscape restoration that would benefit local communities and fulfill international commitments.

-- BERNAMA