KOTA KINABALU: Mount Trusmadi and its sister peaks are not under threat, said Sabah Forestry Department director Datuk Sam Mannan.
He gave the assurance as lately, many concerns and criticisms have been expressed through the social-media, asserting that Gunu Trusmadi, the second highest mountain in the country, will be affected by logging.
“Such a concern is appropriate. However, and unfortunately, it has been soiled by misfacts, distortions and misinformation,” said Mannan in a statement yesterday.
The director gave the following facts:
Trusmadi Forest Reserve was first gazetted as a Class II (Commercial Forest Reserve) in 1961, covering 175,897 hectares. From then onwards, it had been licenced and re-licenced for short-term logging at least twice or more.
At one time, the peak of Mt Trusmadi was also licenced for 25 years as part of a concession licence.
In 1997, under the newly launched SFM (Sustainable Forest Management) forest policy, Trusmadi Forest Reserve (175,897 ha) was split into two management units – FMU10 (74,736 ha) left for conservation, but still under Class 2 and the balance as FMU 5(101,161 ha) licenced under the FMU system for 100 years and to follow the model of Deramakot. It was licenced to Anika Desiran Sdn Bhd, one of the 10 pioneer licencees, chosen by the government at that time.
Unfortunately, the licensee failed to meet its obligations, in that, little work was carried out on the ground except for some forest tending or silviculture and the establishment of a 600-hectare rubber plantation. The rubber plantation failed due to physical and climatic reasons. No real harm was done because there was little or no logging allowed by the government. This stagnant situation persisted for at least 20 years. However, in another sense, it was a blessing in disguise because the forests grew back due to little disturbance except for community encroachments.
In the meantime, to strengthen conservation and for the security of tenure of FMU 10, the other portion of Trusmadi Forest Reserve and unlicenced, was proclaimed by Chief Minister Datuk Sri Panglima Musa Haji Aman as a Class I (protection) forest reserve in 2014 and to be directly managed by the Forestry Department purely for protection and conservation.
FMU 10 also received the coveted award as a “well managed forest” under the Gold Standard of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) in 2015.
To distinguish the Class I and Class II areas, the Trusmadi Forest Reserve portion of FMU10, was renamed Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve – Class I. This is where Mt Trusmadi and its sister peaks are sited – in Tambunan. Not in FMU 5 – Ranau. Mistaken identity may be the reason for the confusion.
The State Government also canceled and revoked all licences issued by a previous government, that covered Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve (class I ), including the bizzare “Peak Licence”.
The next burden to be addressed was FMU 5, licenced to Anika Desiran Sdn Bhd.
The licencee appealed to the government that they be allowed to go into partnership with a third party who have successfully embarked on the management of their own FMU licenced area, subject to whatever conditions the State Government may wish to impose apart from what are in the licence zgreement. This was in 2016.
In principle, this has been agreed subject to more stringent measures to protect the environment that include the following, amongst others.
(a) The licencee surrenders 12,241 ha of good forests in its northern border with FMU10 (Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve) to be fused with FMU10 and made into a Class I protection forests. This exercise was completed at the November 2016 State Assembly, making Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve now 86,977 ha (74,736ha + 12,241ha). In addition, the government gazetted 1,068 ha of stateland in Tambunan and also fused it with FMU 10. This new reserve, gazetted in 2010 called Kiluyu Forest Reserve of 1,068 ha is now managed under FMU 10, making a totally protected management area of 88,045 ha.
With the excision, the Anika area is now only 88,920 ha, a reduction of 12%.
(b) Riparian reserves are now widened to 50-100m depending on the width of rivers and waterways, from a standard 30m – a 50% to 300% widening of buffers.
(c) Only NFM (Natural forest management) can be practiced. If there is need for planting in highly degraded areas with conversion, this is restricted to indigenous species only and needs prior verification and a comprehensive planting plan (CPP). The gross area will be no more than 10,000 ha.
(d) Ril (Reduced Impact Logging) is compulsory, using mostly winched cable systems – e.g. Log Fisher, Cable Yarders.
(e) Prohibited species remain protected with the addition of two new species, i.e. Oaks and Chestnut species which are fruit trees.
(f) HCVS (high conservation value areas) are to be excised from CHPs (comprehensive harvest plans).
(g) Since the earlier prepared FMPs (Forest Management Plan) have both expired dating back to early 2000, the new FMP for the next 10 years will need widespread input from stakeholders and a general consensus prior to final approval.
(h) Replanting in converted areas to commence 12 months or earlier after operations.
(i) Silviculture tending immediately after the harvesting of NFM areas.
Some attributaries of the third FMP under preparation include the following:
(1) 76,277.10 ha: NFM harvesting under Ril – re-planting with some conversion where degraded but not more than 10,000 ha (gross).
(2) 8,858.90 ha : Protection and conservation. (gross)
(3) 3,784.00 ha: community usage. (gross)
Mannan said the FMP shall determine the final land use percentages.
While the FMP is under its final preparation, he said the licensee had been allowed to do harvesting planning in two compartments of 658 ha and 1058 ha each.
“It is most likely that only one compartment would be completed in its planning in 2017. It is pertinent that some level of economic activity, including road repairs and later on, the harvesting, be initiated to avoid the opportunity cost of waiting, for the government and the licencee, and the need to start some harvesting for future improvements, such as training and the learning process of proper harvesting and to avoid serious mistakes in time to come.
“If these two compartments need to be planted up (with indigenous species only) on the basis of their level of degradation, subject to ground surveys, then conversion will occur with stated restrictions,” he explained.
Mannan said the government had also decided that NGOs who can contribute, be engaged as partners, and this FMU be made a pioneer in “Government – Civil Society – Business partnership” in the interest of sustainability.
The project is believed to be a first in Sabah of such an active collaboration involving the forest industry.
This partnership will be institutionalised soon, that may involve WWF Malaysia, Leap, social-based NGOs and individual experts amongst others. The terms of reference (TOR) are being framed.
In addition, scientific NGOs can sharpen the Forestry Department’s knowledge and skills on HCVS and Wildlife, that also includes joint protection and surveys. Social NGOs can assist with the community encroachments of the licenced area with the intention of curbing further forest loss, and NGOs that can co-ordinate expert input, perhaps even seek international financing, pursue carbon ventures, tourism etc that will benefit the government, the licensee and Sabah at large.
He said the Forestry Department sees this endeavor as a new frontier, where not many people have ever been to.
As for statements the licensee may have made in the press, he said these are not within the ambit or jurisdiction of the Forestry Department.
“We would like to assure the public that Mt Trusmadi and its sisters are not under threat. This public-private civil society endeavor is a new experiment that promises long-term benefits to Sabah.
“The Sabah government is a responsible government that backs its words with deeds, as proven time and again. Given new facts, and increasing public engagements on the environment, we seek new directions and better solutions,” he added.