National Forestry Policy 1978 (Revised 1992)

NATIONAL FORESTRY POLICY 1978 (Revised 1992) 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND 1.2 ADMINISTRATION 1.3 FORESTRY LEGISLATION AND POLICY 2. POLICY STATEMENT 2.1 OBJECTIVES 2.2 STATEMENTS 3. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION 3.1 CONSTITUTION OF PERMANENT FOREST ESTATE 3.2 FOREST LEGISLATION 3.3 SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT 3.4 FOREST REGENERATION AND REHABILITATION 3.5 FOREST HARVESTING 3.6 FOREST PRODUCTS AND INDUSTRIES 3.7 BUMIPUTRA PARTICIPATION 3.8 FOREST PLANTATIONS 3.9 AGRO-FORESTRY 3.10 NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS 3.11 FORESTRY RESEARCH 3.12 MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 3.13 FORESTRY EDUCATION AND EXTENSION 3.14 CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 3.15 COMMUNITY FORESTRY, RECREATION AND TOURISM 3.16 SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC VALUES 3.17 INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION 4. SYNOPSIS 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND The tropical rain forest is one of the most complex ecosystems in the world. It is a unique natural heritage which has evolved over millions of years and is the home for numerous plant and animal species. It helps to conserve wildlife, genetic resources and provide natural eco-habitats for both flora and fauna. The forest provides food and shelter for a great variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, birds and insects, many of which are indigenous only in this part of the world. The forests play a major role in the regulation of the climatic and physical conditions of the country, safeguarding water supplies, ensuring environmental stability and minimising damage to agricultural lands. The tropical rain forest of Malaysia is comprised of primarily the species-rich lowland and hill dipterocarp forests. The dipterocarp forests are of vital ecological and economic importance to the country. The other forest types found are the mangrove and peat swamp forests, montane oak forests and montane ericaceous forests. Apart from economically important in producing poles and charcoal, the mangrove forests situated in the coastal areas also play a vital role in the protection and conservation of the natural coastal ecosystem, fishery and other marine life. The peat swamp forests found in the inland swampy regions yield several species of high quality timber. As a renewable resource, the tropical rain forest continues to provide vital socio economic returns and should be conserved in order to ensure maximum and continued benefits. 1.2 ADMINISTRATION In accordance with the Federal Constitution, forestry is a state matter and the State Governments have complete jurisdiction over their respective forest resources. The Federal Government provides technical advice on forest management and development, undertakes research and education, and promotes industrial development of wood-based industries and trade. In this context, a close relationship between the State and Federal Governments is essential regarding all matters concerning forestry. The National Forestry Council (NFC) facilitates the adoption of a coordinated and common approach to forestry that includes planned, rational and effective management and utilisation of the forest resources, consistent with the need to maintain the forest as a long term renewable resource. 1.3 FORESTRY LEGISLATION AND POLICY The Forest Enactment and Rules for administering the forests were enacted by the Federated and Undefeated Malay States in the early thirties and were replaced by the National Forestry Act in 1984. The Interim Forestry Policy, first formulated in 1952, was officially adopted as the National Forestry Policy in 1978. However, in the light of current issues and developments within the context of national aspiration, this policy needs to be revised. 2. POLICY STATEMENT 2.1 OBJECTIVES 2.1.1 To conserve and manage the nation's forest based on the principles of sustainable management. 2.1.2 To protect the environment as well as to conserve biological diversity, genetic resources, and to enhance research and education. 2.2 STATEMENTS 2.2.1 To dedicate as Permanent Forest Estate sufficient areas strategically located throughout the country, in accordance with the concept of rational landuse. The Permanent Forest Estate will be managed and classified under four major functions: 2.2.1.1 PROTECTION FOREST for ensuring favourable climatic and physical conditions of the country, the safeguarding of water resources, soil fertility, environmental quality, preservation of biological diversity and the minimisation of damage by floods and erosion to rivers and agricultural lands. 2.2.1.2 PRODUCTION FOREST for the supply in perpetuity, at reasonable rates of all forms of forest produce which can be economically produced within the country and are required for agricultural, domestic, industrial purposes and for export. 2.2.1.3 AMENITY FOREST for the conservation of adequate forest areas for recreation, ecotourism and public awareness in forestry. 2.2.1.4 RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOREST for the conduct of research, education and conservation of biological diversity. 2.2.2 To manage the Permanent Forest Estate in order to maximize social, economic and environmental benefits for the nation and its people in accordance with the principles of sustainable management. 2.2.3 To implement a planned programme of forest development through forest regeneration and rehabilitation operations in accordance with appropriate silvicultural practices. 2.2.4 To promote efficient harvesting and utilisation within the production forest for maximum economic benefits from all forms of forest produce and to stimulate the development of appropriate forest industries commensurate with the resource flow and to create employment opportunities. 2.2.5 To promote a planned development of forest industries towards the production of more value-added finished and semi-finished products for local consumption and export. 2.2.6 To encourage an aggressive bumiputra participation in the field of wood based industry in compliance with the government policy. 2.2.7 To establish forest plantations of indigenous and exotic species to supplement timber supply from the natural forest. 2.2.8 To promote active local community involvement in various contracts of the forestry development projects and to maintain their involvement in agro forestry programmes. 2.2.9 To increase the production of non-wood forest products through scientific and sustainable management practices to supplement local demands and the requirements of related industries. 2.2.10 To undertake and support a comprehensive programme of forestry training at all levels in the public and private sectors in order to ensure adequate supply of trained manpower to meet the requirements of forestry and wood-based industries. 2.2.11 To encourage private investment in forest development through the establishment of forest plantation on private lands. 2.2.12 To undertake and support intensive research programmes in forestry and forest products aimed at enhancing maximum benefits from the forest. 2.2.13 To promote education in forestry and undertake publicity and extension services in order to generate better understanding among the community on the multiple values of forests. 2.2.14 To provide for the preservation of biological diversity and the conservation of areas with unique species of the flora and fauna. 2.2.15 To develop a comprehensive programme in community forestry to cater for the needs of the rural and urban communities. 2.2.16 To set aside specific areas for the purpose of forestry education and other scientific studies. 2.2.17 To foster closer international co-operation in forestry in order to benefit from the transfer of technology and exchange of scientific information. 3. POLICY IMPLEMENTATION • The Director General of Forestry is responsible to the Federal Government for the proper and efficient management of the Nation's Permanent Forest Estate, which is achieved by providing the State Governments, through their respective State Directors of Forestry, with technical advice, assistance and training facilities. In the interest of the community and the nation, State Governments may accept technical and professional advice given by the Director General of Forestry for the implementation of the National Forestry Policy. 3.1 CONSTITUTION OF PERMANENT FOREST ESTATE 3.1.1 A Permanent Forest Estate of sufficient area must be determined and its security assured. Such areas identified-as Permanent Forest Estate must be gazetted as Permanent Reserved Forests and not to be excised except under very special circumstances. All areas of Permanent Forest Estate that are excised must be replaced as provided in the National Forestry Act, 1984. 3.1.2 Whenever possible, efforts must be taken to increase the area of the Permanent Forest Estate by including other lands such as idle lands, state lands, steep lands and other degraded lands. 3.2 FOREST LEGISLATION 3.2.1 The National Forestry Act, 1984 must be judiciously implemented in order to ensure sustainable management and conservation of the forest resources. 3.3 SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT 3.3.1 The Permanent Forest Estate will be managed in accordance with the principles of sustainable management for the maximization of the social, economic and environmental benefits of the nation. Regular monitoring of the areas and contents of the forests should be done consistently and systematically. 3.3.2 The Permanent Forest Estate should be utilized based on the inherent capability of the forest, its optimal use and on comprehensive forest land use. 3.3.3 For the purpose of sustainability of the forest resources, log flow will be regulated based on a careful balance of supply and demand, and maximum utilization. Optimal forest management regimes will be applied to the Production Forest formulated on the basis of information generated by systematic and integrated forest management and operations research. 3.3.4 To ensure sustainable management practices, the Production Forest will be conservatively harvested by selective felling and retention of adequate residual stocking for subsequent cutting cycles. All forest management plans for inland and mangrove forests must be continuously monitored and updated consistent with the principles of sustainable forest management. Similarly, forest harvesting plans, forest regeneration and rehabilitation plans must also be implemented and monitored. 3.4 FORECAST REGENERATION AND REHABILITATION 3.4.1 A co-ordinated programme of forest development through regeneration and rehabilitation operations shall be undertaken in accordance with appropriate silvicultural practices in order to achieve the maximum productivity from the Permanent Forest Estate. 3.4.2 Investment in forest development should be substantially increased in order to commensurate with the progress in forest development. 3.4.3 Forests that have been rehabilitated must not be harvested before reaching maturity. 3.5 FOREST HARVESTING 3.5.1 Forest harvesting and related infrastructural development in both the Permanent Forest Estate and other forest areas will be properly coordinated and regulated in accordance with prescribed forest management and/or harvesting plans to maintain a favourable level of log production, minimize damage to regeneration consistent with the need to safeguard environmental quality and ecological balance. 3.5.2 Efficient harvesting will be promoted for all types of forest produce for the benefit of national development. 3.5.3 Harvesting operation will be intensified with the aim of achieving higher operational efficiency and cost effectiveness, increase safety characteristics and reduced environmental deterioration. 3.6 FOREST PRODUCTS AND INDUSTRIES 3.6.1 Establishment of new primary processing industries should be viewed according to the availability of raw material supply from the Permanent Forest Estate and other sources. 3.6.2 Promoting operation efficiency through modernization and integration aimed at achieving fuller utilization of the resource. 3.6.3 Encouraging wider utilization of the under-utilized timber, lesser-known species, low grades logs and all form of forest and mill residues for the manufacture of value-added products. 3.6.4 Encouraging down-streaming processing through the establishment of integrated processing complexes to take advantage of common facilities, technology transfer, intra-industry linkages and to create an integrated production base needed for export and growth. 3.6.5 Ensuring adequate supply of raw materials for local forest based industries and their development in perpetuity. 3.6.6 Forest industries extension services will be intensified so as to achieve greater efficiency and higher productivity, minimizing environmental pollution and upgrading the level of industrial safety. 3.7 BUMIPUTRA PARTICIPATION 3.7.1 Bumiputra participation in the field of wood-based industries must be given the highest priority in line with the Government's National Development Policy especially on community resettlement. To achieve the above target, facilities such as financial, advisory, technical and personnel training in every stage of the industry must be offered and fully implemented. 3.8 FOREST PLANTATION 3.8.1 Sufficient forest plantations will be establishes throughout the country to supplement supply of timber. 3.8.2 Forest plantations of fast-growing tropical timber species and that of high quality timber species will be encouraged on suitable sites. 3.8.3 Private sector investment will be encouraged in the establishment and development of forest plantations. 3.9 AGRO-FORESTRY 3.9.1 The involvement of local communities near forest fringes will be promoted in planting forest fruit tree to conserve forestry resource. 3.9.2 Their involvement in agro-forestry programmes will be maintained and giving priority for them to harvest during fruiting season. 3.10 NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCT 3.10.1 The planting of rattan and managing the existing rattan resources scientifically and sustainably will be encouraged. 3.10.2 The planting of bamboo and managing the existing bamboo resources scientifically and sustainably will be encouraged. 3.11 FORESTRY RESEARCH 3.11.1 Public and private sectors are encouraged in intensifying forestry research to achieve the targets of environmental stability, sustainable forest management and maximizing yield. 3.12 MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING 3.12.1 Sufficient trained manpower should be provided to undertake all forest activities. 3.12.2 Effort should be made to provide better training facilities to upgrade manpower skills at all levels of forestry and industrial operations. 3.12.3 A comprehensive training programme in various fields of forestry and forest industries should continue to be implemented to meet the requirements, both in public and private sectors. 3.13 FORESTRY EDUCATION AND EXTENSION 3.13.1 Promoting public awareness in forestry through: 3.13.1.1 various mass media programmes; 3.13.1.2 educating the community to appreciate the functions of forest, and introducing forestry science in the school curriculum. 3.14 CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 3.14.1 National forest management must take into account the need to conserve the flora and fauna. 3.15 COMMUNITY FORESTRY, RECREATION AND TOURISM 3.15.1 Community forestry programmes will be intensified to cater for public needs in recreation and tourism. 3.15.2 Planting of fruit trees and other plants along the fringes of the Permanent Forest Estate will be intensified. Apart from that the planting of trees in urban areas shall be encouraged to provide shade, clean air and aesthetic values. 3.16 SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC VALUES 3.16.1 Specific areas for the purpose of education, protection and for scientific studies will be set aside. 3.17 INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION 3.17.1 Closer international co-operation will be fostered to achieve better understanding of forest management and development. 4. SYNOPSIS 4.1 The objective of the National Forestry Policy 1978 (Revised 1992) is to conserve and manage the forest through sustainable management and maintain its important roles in the national economy and preservation of environmental stability. 4.2 Briefly, the National Forestry Policy aims to achieve the following objectives: 4.2.1 Permanent Forest Estate To set aside sufficient areas of land as Protection Forest, Production Forest, Amenity Forest, and Research and Education Forest as Permanent Forest Estate. 4.2.2 Forest Legislation To ensure the preservation and sustainable management of forest resources through efficient forest law enforcement. 4.2.3 Sustainable Forest Management To manage the forest in accordance with the principles of sustainable yield management for the maximization of social, economic and environmental benefits of the nation. 4.2.4 Forest Regeneration and Rehabilitation To upgrade programmes of forest development through regeneration and rehabilitation operations in accordance with appropriate silvicultural practices to achieve maximum productivity. 4.2.5 Forest Harvesting To promote efficient harvesting methods with prescribed forest management and harvesting plans for sustaining the production of forest produce. 4.2.6 Forest Products and Industries To attain a rational balance between the national industrial processing capacity and resource availability. 4.2.7 Bumiputra Participation To continue promoting Bumiputra participation in the field of wood based industries parallel with the Government's National Development Policy. 4.2.8 Forest Plantation To establish and manage forest plantations to supplement timber supply from the natural forest and to promote active private sector investment in the establishment and development of forest plantations. 4.2.9 Agro-forestry To promote active involvement of local community in agro-forestry programmes. 4.2.10 Non-wood Forest Product To increase non-wood forest products for local consumption and to meet the need of related processing industries. 4.2.11 Forestry Research To encourage public and private sectors involvement in promoting scientific research in all aspects of forestry. 4.2.12 Manpower Development and Training To increase trained manpower needed in forestry and wood-based industries. 4.2.13 Forestry Education and Extension To promote forestry education, publicity and extension services. 4.2.14 Conservation of Biological Diversity To carry out appropriate programmes on the conservation of unique species of flora and fauna. 4.2.15 Community Forestry, Recreation and Tourism To develop community forestry programmes and provide facilities for recreation and tourism. 4.2.16 Special Scientific Values To set aside specific areas for the purpose of education and scientific interests. 4.2.17 International Co-operation To foster closer international communication and co-operation in order to achieve a better understanding in the management and development of the tropical rain forests.