Sarawak Greening Efforts

In the light of increasing population and development, there is a need and importance to not only to conserve, but also to restore forest ecosystems.

Globally, forests cover nearly one third of the land area and contain over 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity.

As part of the restoration efforts, the Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) was launched by the Premier of Sarawak in Sabal Forest Reserve on 15 July 2019.

It was noted to be one of the State governments agenda to agenda to enrich degraded forest areas in the Permanent Forest Estate (PFE) with various native species and also to maintain 62 per cent of forest cover in Sarawak.

FLR, as defined by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is a long term-process of regaining ecological functionality and enhancing human well-being across deforested or degraded forest landscapes.

It is a planned process that aims to regain ecological functionality and enhance human wellbeing in deforested or degraded forest landscapes.

The main objectives of implementing FLR in Sarawak are;

• Enriching former logging areas with high value native species;
• Restore and preserve degraded forests in PFE and government land;
• Improve the community’s standard of living who depend on forest resources;
• Alleviate pressure on native forests by encouraging the development of forest plantations with fast-growing species.

1. Safeguard Sarawak’s forests through Sustainable Forest Management
2. The two hands indicating that we must conserve, preserve and protect the earth through FLR Programme from climate change occurrence
3. The map of Sarawak or Borneo shows that the effort in greening the environment can spread throughout Malaysia
4. The tagline is in with the Malaysia’s goal towards greening the country through ‘Plant 100 Million Trees Campaign’
5. The State’s main agenda as officiated by YAB Chief Minister of Sarawak (now Sarawak Premier) on 16^th June 2019

(Source: Silara Bulletin Issue 01 June- August 2020)

Restoring multiple forest functions requires multiple species. 

And therefore, the State Government through FDS has enriched the FLR program with aim to enrich degraded forest areas with high value timber species.

FLR seek to restore a forested ecosystem, especially degraded PFE, alleviate livelihood of forest-dependent communities and reduce pressure on natural forest by shifting timber production towards plantations of indigenous fast-growing species.

In advocating FLR throughout the State, the Sarawak government supports the national ‘Malaysia Greening agenda’.

Thus, in line with the Malaysian Greening Campaign, FDS also launched the ‘Greening Sarawak’ agenda.

The Malaysian Greening Campaign which was launched on 5 January 2021 aims to plant 100 million trees throughout Malaysia within a 5-year period starting from 2021 to 2025.

In supporting the 100 million Tree Planting Campaign, the Sarawak government aims to plant 35 million within a 5-year period under the 12^th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025).

This will represent about one-third of the Malaysian Greening Campaign.

Through the State greening campaign, Sarawak has expanded the scope and planting area and coordinating planting in other areas such as fully protected areas (TPA), state land, urban landscape, schools or institutions of higher learning, privately owned land, and more.

The main goals of the campaign are;

• Increasing green areas throughout Sarawak in addition to the State’s Forest Landscape Restoration agenda
• Raise awareness on the importance of forest
• Supporting the national ‘Greening Malaysia’ programme
• Maintaining at least 62 per cent of Sarawak forest cover
• Encouraging multi-stakeholders in forest restoration efforts

(Source: Silara Bulletin Issue 05 Apr – Sept 21)

Le Tour de Restoration Sarawak is an initiative by FDS to promote the 100 Million Tree Planting campaign.

Taking place in 2021, the programme made its way to eight different locations throughout Sarawak to distribute more than 50, 000 seedlings across the State and to be planted by government and private agencies, corporate bodies, NGOs, schools and other institutions during the roadshow.

Since the launch in 2021, RAKAN Sarawak was informed during a recent interview with FDS that Sarawak has recorded the planting of 13,424,947 trees and is the highest among states.

Among the initiatives that have been and are being actively implemented by FDS to achieve this target is to intensify planting activities including collaboration with various public and private agencies, corporate bodies, NGOs, higher education institutions (IPTA/IPTS) and local communities.

Other initiatives include the establishment of nurseries which have also benefited the local community through job opportunities, ensuring sufficient quality plant material with the establishment of Seed Production Area (SPA), purchasing seedlings from the community, empowering the field of research (R&D), intensifying promotion and CEPA to raise awareness among the community and so on.

Apart from that, the State Government through FDS has also issued Director’s Circular DF ​​Circular No.2/2019 and No.3/2019 to enforce restoration activities in license areas where licensees are required to replant trees after felling.

Forest loss and degradation presents both local and global problems related to food and livelihoods, clean water, fresh air and the climate as well as making areas more vulnerable to natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, floods and landslides. 

However, increased in tree cover provides a series of environmental benefits such as landslide prevention, water storage enhancement, reduced flooding, and enhanced recreational opportunities.