By DayakDaily Team
LAWAS, Oct 24: The Sarawak government has approved the gazettement of a 271.18-hectare area within the Kayangeran Forest Reserve as the State’s first community amenity forest, strengthening its role as a centre for education, research, recreation, and environmental conservation.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the approval aimed to provide clearer management direction for the area, in line with the development of the Kayangeran Complex and plans for an urban forest park.
“This will expand opportunities for the public to learn about and appreciate Sarawak’s forest treasures,” he said at the open day and official opening ceremony of the Kayangeran Complex, organised by the Sarawak Forest Department, here today.
The Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development added that the complex was not merely about providing physical facilities but also creating opportunities to strengthen forest management through research, education, restoration, and properly planned recreational activities.
He said the area has significant ecological value, encompassing mangrove and peat swamp forest ecosystems, and forms part of the natural heritage that must be preserved for future generations.
“Development plans for the area also include integrating a Heart of Borneo interpretation centre to raise public awareness of Borneo’s biodiversity and the importance of conserving forest ecosystems,” he added.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah, who is also Bukit Sari assemblyman, said Sarawak continued to strengthen forest conservation efforts through planned land-use policies and forest management.
He said more than 62 per cent of Sarawak’s total land area of approximately 12.4 million hectares remained forested, while nearly 900,000 hectares had been gazetted as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs).
Sarawak had also gazetted nearly five million hectares as Permanent Forest Reserves, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s commitment to maintaining at least 50 per cent of the country’s land area under forest cover.
He stressed that forest management could not be left solely to forestry agencies, but required cooperation among the government, private sector, educational institutions, researchers and local communities.
“Forest destruction can affect water resources, biodiversity, food security, health and human livelihoods. Therefore, economic development must be pursued in balance with environmental conservation,” he said. — DayakDaily
