Invest in ecotourism as alternative to logging, 4 state govts told

 Conservationist Andrew Sebastian warns that loss of forest cover can raise the risk of floods, landslides, water disruption and droughts.

According to environmentalists, preserving forests for ecotourism yields more benefits than depleting them through logging. (Tourism Pahang pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Pahang, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan and Perak should consider long term investments such as ecotourism to preserve the country’s forests rather than short-term gains from logging and mining, says a conservationist.

Andrew Sebastian, president of the Ecotourism and Conservation Society Malaysia, said the four states have much to offer in terms of nature-based tourism and should develop business plans to capitalise on their natural assets.

He also pointed out that the case for preserving forests extends beyond their tourism potential, citing environmental and economic consequences of forest loss.

“The loss of forests, especially in Kelantan, could lead to landslides, water disruptions and flooding,” he told FMT, adding that it could also raise the risk of droughts and human-wildlife conflict, as well as threaten biodiversity.

In February last year, Pahang unity, tourism and culture committee chairman Leong Yu Man said Taman Negara welcomed 135,435 visitors in 2024, the highest figure on record and up from 128,592 in 2023.

Kamaruddin Ibrahim, who was Tourism Pahang general manager at the time, said Singaporeans accounted for more than 60% of the state’s international tourists and have shown particular interest in its nature-based and ecotourism products.

Sebastian’s call came in the wake of Pahang’s decision on Aug 27 to reject Sections 11 and 12 of the National Forestry (Amendment) Act 2022. Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan and Perak had earlier rejected the same provisions.

The provisions respectively require a public inquiry before land is excised from a permanent forest reserve and replacement land of an equal or larger size to be gazetted. The four states account for 69.3% of Peninsular Malaysia’s gazetted permanent forest reserves.

For the record, Perlis, Melaka, Selangor and the Federal Territories have adopted Sections 11 and 12 of the Act.

While affected communities could seek injunctions, judicial review and other legal remedies, Sebastian cautioned that legal intervention might come only after damage has already been done.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the onus is on state assemblymen to scrutinise any proposal to degazette areas designated as forest reserves.

“State governments already have the power to degazette forest reserves without alerting the public, without comprehensive discussions,” she told FMT. “It is decision-making without adequate transparency.”

She proposed that any move to degazette forest reserves be referred to the National Land Council.

The council formulates national policies for the promotion, control and uniform utilisation of land across Peninsular Malaysia.

In defence of the move, Pahang menteri besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail claimed that the state already had its own conditions and procedures governing the degazettement of forest reserves.

However, Sebastian said state procedures were not equivalent to having safeguards set out in legislation that the public could rely on, while Meenakshi said Pahang’s explanation did not address why it had rejected the two provisions.

Meanwhile, Ecological Association of Malaysia president Ahmad Ismail said decisions on degazettement should take into account the functions performed by forests, including flood mitigation, water supply, biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

He called for detailed studies involving agencies responsible for forestry, wildlife, agriculture, drainage and irrigation, fisheries and water supply before any degazettement.

Ahmad said any potential economic returns should be weighed against the environmental, economic and human consequences of losing forests. - FMT