Its Minister, Datuk Seri G.Palanivel said 30 million more trees would be planted in the next five years, thus meeting its new target of 80 million.
“The planting of 30 million trees which began this year will focus on such areas as those with extreme land clearing, degraded forests, beaches and townships,” he told reporters after launching the Tree Planting Strategic Cooperation Programme at the Terla B Forest Reserve in Cameron Highlands here today.
He said the planting of the 30 million trees involved various parties especially non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies and society at all levels.
He added that from the time the campaign to “Plant 26 Million Trees” began in 2010 and ended in December 2013, a total of 53.13 million trees had been planted throughout the country in an estimated area of 65,559.01 hectares.
Earlier, in his speech, Palanivel said development had led to a higher demand for land in Cameron Highlands for infrastructure purposes and to provide basic facilities.
“The high demand for agricultural land has led to continuous opening of land which encroached Permanent Forest Reserve areas and state forest land,” he said.
He added that besides conservation efforts, the ministry also took the initiative to increase monitoring and enforcement activities.
“The Centralised Enforcement Team (CET) which was formed on July 12 last year now conducts joint enforcement exercises with various agencies including the Forestry Department, Immigration, Department of Environment and Pahang Land and Minerals Office,” he said.
Palanivel who also launched the e-LPS system today said the management of temporary occupation licence (LPS) had been improved to help the authorities monitor and supervise land development activities for agricultural purposes.
— BERNAMA
