600 Musang King trees found planted illegally in Raub

 

The Raub forestry department said the illegal cultivation was detected on Nov 26 when its officers were patrolling the area. (Forest police Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A total of 600 Musang King durian trees that were planted illegally in the Teras Forest Reserve in Raub, Pahang, were destroyed by the district forestry department today.

The enforcement officers found that the illegal cultivation on four hectares of land had been going on unnoticed for the last two years.

Raub forestry chief Shahril Mohamad said the operation involved a team of 25 staff who were assisted by the local police.

He said they discovered the illegal activity area after conducting patrols and checks on Nov 26, adding investigations found that the illegal cultivation was carried out by a local individual who had employed several foreign workers.

“Musang King durian trees that were between one and two years old were cut down using machetes and chainsaws.

“The value of the trees destroyed is estimated at more than RM30,000,” he was quoted as saying in a Berita Harian report.

Shahril said his officers had conducted six operations to combat illegal activities in forest reserves this year.

He said their action on illegal cultivation in the Batu Talam forest reserve in July was their largest action to date, adding that they destroyed 15,000 Musang King durian trees over 101ha of land which was also a gazetted catchment area.

“We will continue with our action next year to ensure that illegal encroachment on forest reserves will not occur. We will be planting 1,500 trees of various types in the area starting tomorrow,” he said. - FMT