FOREST RESOURCE DEPLETION IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

Peninsular Malaysia's forests have contributed significantly to the national economy with its capacity to generate a ready source of income while yet providing maximum benefits to the local population. In terms of foreign exchange earnings, it was a major contributor second only to agriculture. State governments also derive substantial forest revenues from the utilization of the forests. But such days are numbered as the resource base is order rapid depletion. Analysis indicates that depletion is due to population growth and agricultural expansion in the short term aggravated over the long term by timber harvesting for domestic use and export. However, the single most important cause of depletion is still from agricultural schemes. The problem is not helped at all by the slow regeneration of the depleted forests as well as the lack of coordination of the management of the forests. The result has been a real threat to the viability of the timber industry in the long run. The conflict between agriculture and forestry over land must be resolved if both are to continue to be of significance to the country. In the final analysis, the future stability of the forest appears problematical because of the government's recent decision to accord top priority to rural development which in effect will mean forest clearance for agriculture