RAUB: The operation to clear illegal durian farms at the Batu Talam forest reserve near here is progressing ahead of schedule.
The Forestry Department, which launched 'Ops Pamah' on July 3, have since cut down some 15,000 Musang King trees in an area measuring 101 hectares in the forest reserve.
State Forestry Department assistant director (enforcement) Nor Azirim Ahmad said the presence of some 100 staff from all the district forestry offices throughout Pahang has helped to expedite the clearing process.
"Initially, we had expected the operation to last about a month. However, we managed to cut down all the tress which were grown illegally in the forest reserve in nine days.
"Once the trees are cleared, the department will prepare the site for replanting. Some 20,000 forest tree saplings will be replanted in stages," he said.
He said the department's office located in west Pahang will be fully responsible for carrying out the replanting works at the site with assistance from staff from other districts.
Nor Azirim, meanwhile, was quoted in another report as saying that the Meranti Temak Nipis species were among the saplings which will be replanted at the site.
It is learnt that once the replanting process is completed, the department will be conducting regular patrols at the forest reserve to ensure there are no further trespass incidents.
The enforcement operation consisting the Pahang Forestry Department, State Enforcement Unit , policemen and General Operations Force (GOF) was initially scheduled to end on August 2.