LETTERS: I applaud the Pahang Forestry Department for the recent enforcement operation against illegal plantations at the Batu Talam Permanent Forest Reserve, Raub.
The illegal durian farm fiasco and uproar have certainly brought to light a few ironies.
The most obvious one is whether the issue of encroachment is new or has it perpetuated through the decades? Illegal farming has been happening for many years and a study was done in the year 2002 to highlight the dangers of encroachment.
Since the authorities know about the dangers, why isn't the state government implementing a more sustainable and planned enforcement instead of an impromptu operation. Enforcement efforts should be stepped up while providing illegal farmers a sustainable livelihood by guiding them on good agricultural practises instead of just leaving them in the dark after the trees are chopped down.
In early 2002, I remember a study on the Sustainable Development of the Highlands of Peninsular Malaysia conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature with the Economic Planning Unit under the Prime Minister's Office and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlighting the issue of forest reserve encroachment in the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve in Raub, Pahang.
According to the study, Benum Range which is located in central Pahang, between Jerantut, Raub and Temerloh, hosts one of the largest wildlife reserves in Peninsular Malaysia, known as the Krau Wildlife Reserve. One of the Permanent Forest Reserves (PFR), Gunung Benum is located within the Benum Range.
The study highlighted that the farmers from Raub encroached into the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve, which was reported as "fairly extensive at 7,000 acres", covering both state and forest reserve.
Almost two-thirds of the encroachment was within the forest reserve and was cleared for commercial crops. This is the same district that recently saw 15,000 durian trees chopped down for being planted illegally in the forest reserve.
However, I am appalled by the way two local politicians in Raub played up the issue for the public. One mentioned that there are 11,000 acres of illegal durian encroachments in Raub, and certainly has some credence.
Another also alluded in a recent video interview that up to a whopping 70 per cent durians in Raub comes from illegal farms. Based on statistics, Raub alone produced 71,000 tonnes of durians in 2019 and 70 per cent of this is 49,700 tonnes per year.
Assuming a production of 3.5 tonnes per acre every year, does this mean that the scale of encroachment in Raub has reached upwards of 14,000 acres? This reflects a 100 per cent increase!
Apart from the sheer magnitude of encroachment, the illegality, the size of the nature of the industry coupled with the propensity for corruption it is equally frightening. With the current demand from China market that is close to 700,000 tonnes annually and Malaysia's export being only at 30,000 tonnes as reported, can we imagine the extent of illegal encroachment in the next five years if this issue is left unchecked?
I hope the recent enforcement by the Pahang government in evicting the illegal farmers in Batu Talam Forest Reserve is not a PR stunt. How about the remaining 11,000-14,000 acres of illegal encroachment? What is the state government's next course of action?
While taking firm action is necessary in addressing illegal encroachments, we must also put into perspective the livelihood of Malaysia's economy especially during these times. Durians are now one of the country's top potential sources of export revenue.
Unless there is a holistic solution to such a complex problem, the Pahang government must have the will to see through it to the very end to resolve this thorny issue once and for all.
Stephen Wong
Dengkil, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times