Regent orders permanent forest reserve status for Merapoh

LIPIS: The Regent of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wants a 668.9ha of the Merapoh Forest area - which was previously approved for agricultural area – be gazetted a permanent forest reserve.
He said the move was necessary to ensure the natural treasures in the area which attracted tourists and were economic resources of the surrounding population, were perpetually preserved.
"Any area that has been logged must be repaired and replanted ... logging should also be stopped and restoration efforts, accelerated," he told the media after a briefing at the Persit Forest Reserve logging area in Merapoh during a two-day working visit in Lipis District here today.
The programme was also attended by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, state forestry director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Mohd Yasin and state agricultural development corporation (PKPP) chief executive officer Datuk Wan Bakri Wan Ismail.
On June 31, 1992, the Pahang Government had approved 668.9ha to PKPP for farming purposes, and logging commenced on April 15 last year.
However, last October, the issue was raised by non-governmental organisations as it was alleged to have affected nature-based tourism activities in the area such as forest exploitation at the Padang Kawad Caves, better known as the Malaysia Day Cave.
Following that, the Department of Environment issued a logging ban order to the licensee on Nov 15, last year after an assessment found the company had failed to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment report.
During that period, about 200ha of the area were explored and 70% more survived as it comprised highlands and hilly terrain.
Tengku Abdullah also wanted the state government to exercise more care before issuing licence for logging or agricultural purposes.
"We have to carefully determine which can be granted licence and which cannot; if possible, retain the virgin jungles, those with clean and untouched rivers must be protected as they are our treasures which future generations will inherit," he noted. — Bernama