KUCHING: Sarawak has exceeded its tree-planting target by more than 15 million trees while making significant progress in restoring degraded forests under the state’s sustainability agenda.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that as of August 20 this year, Sarawak had successfully planted 50 million trees, surpassing its original target of 35 million.
“At the same time, 137,178.75 hectares of degraded forests have been restored, representing 68.6 per cent of our target to restore 200,000 hectares by 2030,” he said.
He added that these achievements are part of the Forest Landscape Restoration Programme launched in 2019, which aligns with the national campaign to plant 100 million trees by 2030.
“These results demonstrate Sarawak’s strong commitment to sustainability and reflect the importance of integrating integrity into all aspects of natural resource management,” he said in his speech delivered by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, during the ministry’s Integrity Day at Sheraton Hotel here today.
Awang Tengah stressed that ‘Green Integrity’ must remain the guiding principle in ensuring Sarawak’s natural wealth is managed responsibly.
“Good governance and green practices are the foundation for sustainable development, where economic growth goes hand-in-hand with social well-being and environmental protection,” he added.
He also highlighted Sarawak’s commitment to international standards through forest management certification under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), recognised by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
“So far, more than 1.49 million hectares of forests, or nearly 50 per cent of areas under long-term licences, have been certified,” he said.
The certification covers 16 natural forest management units and nine plantation forest management units, strengthening Sarawak’s global reputation in sustainable forestry.
Awang Tengah said this achievement also enhances the competitiveness of Sarawak’s timber products in international markets.
“These milestones prove that Sarawak is serious about balancing economic development with environmental stewardship, guided by the principle of ‘Green Integrity’,” he said.
