KUCHING, May 19: A new classification of permanent forest will be introduced in the proposed Forest (Amendment) Bill 2022 to enhance community participation in promoting the preservation and sustainable use of forests for studies.
The establishment of the Amenity Forest is intended for research, educational and recreational purposes, in line with the State Government deep commitment in protecting the forests and encouraging the people to connect to nature.
“Through recreation, nature appreciation, and voluntarism by adopting unique model of collaborative management of forests.
“Likewise, in West Malaysia they have Taman Eko-Rimba, Hutan Pendidikan and Hutan Lipur, to name a few,” said Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan when tabling the second reading of the proposed Bill in the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
The bill seeks to amend the Forests Ordinance which has been in force since 1st June 2015.
On the passing of the Bill, “forest produce” will include “carbon stocks and greenhouse gas (GHG) stocks” produced through licensed Forest Carbon Activity undertaken in our permanent forests, in State and alienated land.
As such, the Bill will provide for mechanisms to ensure no double counting of carbon stocks and carbon credit units and the process of reporting to the Federal Government.
He added that the carbon stocks and carbon credit units generated in Sarawak would form part of the Nationally Determined Contribution to be submitted by Malaysia to UNFCCC in accordance with the Paris Agreement. –TVS
