KUCHING: Sarawak’s forests hold immense value, both in tangible terms, such as measurable natural resources, and intangible ones, as unseen gifts of nature.
Sarawak Forest Department’s Director, Datuk Hamden Mohammad, estimated that this natural legacy is worth between RM2.8 billion and RM3.5 billion annually, an inheritance that must be preserved for generations to come.
He said that over 62 per cent of Sarawak’s land area is covered by forests, offering countless benefits, including protection against natural disasters and climate change, water from catchment areas, habitats for more than 8,000 plant species and 200 species of mammals, as well as sources of income through non-timber products, tourism, and carbon markets.
“For local communities, forests are more than just resources – they represent heritage, identity, and irreplaceable spiritual value,” he said during the launch of the International Day of Forests 2025 celebration, themed ‘Forests and Foods’, held here today.
Hamden added that the Sarawak Government has gazetted 2.1 million hectares as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs), comprising 0.87 million hectares of terrestrial land and 1.2 million hectares of marine areas, with an additional 318,000 hectares approved for preliminary gazettement.
At the same event, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg planted the 50 millionth tree, marking a symbolic act that underscores the message that a green legacy is not only a present-day responsibility but a treasured gift for future generations.
The celebration also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Forest Department Sarawak, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), signifying a strong partnership in advancing impactful sustainability efforts.
