SHAH ALAM, Nov 28 — The state government is ramping up its environmental conservation efforts in its bid to maintain at least 30 per cent of Selangor’s land as permanent forest reserves, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said this is in line with the First Selangor Plan (RS-1), which includes the planting of 11 million trees and public awareness programmes as among its initiatives.
“His Royal Highness (Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj) had, in our discussions, decreed for more (messages on forest conservation awareness) to be disseminated through various mediums, including photos, videos and books in schools.
“I think this effort will be reviewed between the Selangor State Forestry Department (JPNS) and the state government, to ensure public awareness of forest conservation is high,” he told reporters after attending the Royal Selangor Heritage Forest (RSHF) declaration ceremony , here, today.
The event, which was officiated by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, saw 26 permanent forest reserves in the state spanning a combined 108,000 hectares in land area declared as RSHF.
Earlier in his speech, Amirudin said the state administration consistently supports national and international agendas related to biodiversity conservation and climate change.
Among other things, he noted that the state has imposed a 25-year moratorium on logging activities in permanent forest reserves since 2010.
It has also adopted the Malaysian Forestry Policy in 2021, amendments to the National Forestry Act in 2022, and the National Biodiversity Policy 2022-2030 that was launched last month.
“We are also making efforts to conserve the Central Forest Spine (CFS) ecological network involving two secondary linkages, namely Raja Musa-Bukit Tarek-Bukit Gading and Sungai Lalang-Hulu Langat.
“At the same time, we are enhancing forest enforcement activities through regular patrols, joint operations, and the use of satellite technology, which are key elements in combating the destruction of forest ecological habitats,” he added.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said the state plans to establish a 120km route that will run across the CFS from Hulu Selangor to Hulu Langat as a tourism attraction.
He said the development of the route, which will be handled by JPNS, is also part of the declaration of RSHF.
“If the route can truly be accomplished, then it will be a key tourist attraction, particularly for those heavily involved in tourism and environmental activities such as hiking and jungle trekking.
“The construction of this route has the potential to be a tourism product in the future,” he said.
