The
Sabah Forestry Policy has been formulated
to cater for the needs of all stakeholders
in Sabah, and is in conformity with the
internationally accepted practices of
sustainable forest resource management
and development.
The
goal of this Policy is to achieve sustainable
management of the state's forest resources.
The strategies, as adopted in 2005, to
achieve this goal are as follows: |
a) |
To
declare sufficient land that is strategically
located throughout Sabah as Permanent
Forest Reserves in accordance with the
concept of rational land use to ensure:
(i) Sound climatic
and physical conditions of the State,
maintenance of watershed, soil fertility
and environmental quality, conservation
of nature and biodiversity, and minimal
flood damage and soil erosion; such forest
areas are classified as PROTECTION FORESTS.
(ii) Perpetual
supply of forest products for subsistence
and industrial uses; such forest areas
are classified as PRODUCTION FORESTS.
(iii) Conservation
of adequate forest areas for recreation,
education and research; such forest areas
are classified as AMENITY FORESTS. |
| b) |
To
manage the Permanent Forest Reserves so
as to maximise social, economic and environmental
benefits for the State and its people in
accordance with the principles of sustainable
forest management. |
| c) |
To
pursue forest development programmes through
forest conservation and rehabilitation operations
in accordance with approved silvicultural
practices to optimise productivity of the
Permanent Forest Reserves. |
| d) |
To
ensure proper utilisation of forest resources
from land that is not classified as Permanent
Forest Reserves through careful planning
and in co-operation with land development
agencies before the said land is alienated
in order to maximise the returns for the
people by means of suitable harvesting and
processing methods. |
| e) |
To
promote efficient harvesting and utilisation
of all types of forests and to stimulate
the development of appropriate forest-based
industries so as to maximise resource utilisation,
create employment opportunities and generate
foreign exchange earnings. |
| f) |
To
encourage the development of trade in forest
products. |
| g) |
To
encourage Bumiputera participation in forest
and wood-based industries. |
| h) |
To
undertake and support intensive research
programmes in forestry development aimed
at achieving optimum yield and returns from
harvesting and utilisation of the Permanent
Forest Reserves as well as maximising the
return of investment from forestry development
activities. |
| i) |
To
undertake and support comprehensive training
programmes in forestry at all levels to
provide adequate trained personnel to meet
the needs of the forestry sector. |
| j) |
To
encourage private sector participation at
all levels of forestry research and training
with a view to enhancing professionalism
in forestry and forest industries. |
| k) |
To
foster better understanding among the general
public of the multiple values of the forest
through education and public awareness programmes. |
| l) |
To
utilise information and communication technology
for the efficient management of the State’s
forest resources. |
| m) |
To
foster close relationship and co-operation
at the international level to enhance forest
development and management of the State's
forest resources. |
