JPSM Strengthens efforts To Manage, Develop Forest Resources For Socioeconomic Growth

By Rozainah Abdul Rahim

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM) is ramping up efforts to sustainably manage and develop forest resources while optimising its contribution to the nation’s socio-economic growth.

Its director-general, Datuk Zahari Ibrahim, said one of the key strategies is developing potential forest areas as world-class ecotourism destinations to generate economic and income opportunities despite facing numerous challenges.

“JPSM has made significant contributions to the ecotourism sector by establishing 117 forest eco-parks and 16 state forest parks across Peninsular Malaysia.

“The establishment of these parks is part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR), benefiting the public through recreational, educational and ecotourism opportunities while ensuring biodiversity conservation,” he said during a recent interview with Bernama at JPSM Headquarters.

He said some popular forest eco-parks are the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park, Mossy Forest Eco Park (Pahang), Kledang Saiong Forest Eco Park (Perak) and Sungai Sedim Forest Eco Park (Kedah), while notable state forest parks include the Rompin State Park (Pahang), Perlis State Park, Gunung Stong State Park (Kelantan) and Bukit Panchor State Park (Penang).

Zahari added that to support sustainable forest management, JPSM has partnered with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and private companies to carry out CSR projects and investments in ecotourism areas classified as Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK).

“As a result of these collaborations, the number of visitors to forest eco-parks and state forest parks within HSK has increased by 8.5 per cent from 2,945,724 people in 2022 to 3,200,230 last year,” he said.

To ensure visitor safety, JPSM also enforces the use of Forest Mountain Guides (MGP) services in over 200 areas within HSK in Peninsular Malaysia, starting from Jan1 last year.

He said that JPSM has introduced the MGP Programme in 2020 and so far trained 1,877 mountain guides to minimise the risks of accidents and lost hikers as hiking activities gain popularity in the country.

“For the long term, JPSM will continue implementing all action plans outlined in the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Policy to further strengthen the ecotourism sector, especially in generating new revenue streams for state governments,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zahari said JPSM is strengthening the use of information technology, including Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), in forest enforcement and operations.

He said using satellite imagery or remote sensing, aerial, ground and water monitoring and establishing a War Room at the headquarters as a centralised monitoring hub enhances the effectiveness of enforcement monitoring.

“We’ve equipped our War Room, a Resource Monitoring Centre, with the latest satellite imagery to monitor changes in forest cover and land use across 595 HSK daily.

“We are also using drones and camera traps to monitor forest areas, detect encroachment and conduct continuous enforcement patrols,” he explained, adding that collaboration with other agencies for integrated enforcement operations has also been intensified.

Asked about the Greening Malaysia Programme through the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign launched on Jan 5, 2021, he said 99,483,757 trees, comprising 1,883 species, have been planted nationwide as of Sept 30.

He added that the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) plans to enhance the campaign in the future, aligning it with sustainable development goals (SDGs) and Malaysia’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Zahari also highlighted that the Social Forestry Programme, which involves the Orang Asli and communities near HSK, enables them to participate in forest protection efforts and benefit from job creation and income generation through ecotourism, forest product collection and forest by-products.

“One of the enhanced projects in the Buy Back Guarantee Programme, where the Orang Asli community in Tasik Chini are trained to grow seedlings at nurseries, which JPSM then buys back for planting in HSK or other suitable areas,” he said.

He added that NRES, in collaboration with JPSM, will organise the KL Green Symphony Carnival 2024 at Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park from Oct 19 to 21.

Among the highlights are a Mini Rainforest Symphony Night featuring cultural and musical performances, casual sessions with celebrities, a canopy night walk, food fiesta and TikTok contests.

Entry to the eco-park during the carnival will be free, and the public can visit JPSM’s Facebook page or website for further details.

-- BERNAMA