NRES Minister Urges Ramsar Compliance At Tasik Bera To Protect Ecosystem

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup has urged that all activities in the Tasik Bera Permanent Forest Reserve, a gazetted Ramsar Site, comply with the wise use principle, the key guide under the Ramsar Convention.

He said unauthorised exploration, logging and farming must be tackled prudently and in line with existing laws to protect the ecosystem and wildlife habitats.

"The Tasik Bera Conservation Forest Reserve was gazetted on Aug 30, 2007, under Section 7 of the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313).

"It was recognised as a Ramsar Site in 1994 and is internationally significant for its wetland ecology and biodiversity," he said in a statement today.

Arthur said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), as the body responsible for coordinating the country's commitments under the Ramsar Convention, consistently pays close attention to conservation efforts in the wetland area.

He said the ministry also supports the Pahang state government's integrated enforcement action against unauthorised exploration activities allegedly involving over 2,212 hectares within the permanent forest reserve.

"The operation takes into account the 79th National Land Council meeting's Dec 2, 2021 decision, which stressed the importance of state enforcement action against unauthorised exploration in permanent forest reserves under Act 313," he said.

Arthur said NRES respects the state government's jurisdiction over the management and administration of permanent forest reserves.

He added that the ministry will continue to coordinate at the federal level, strengthening strategic cooperation to ensure preservation and conservation efforts are carried out effectively.

He said such cooperation is vital in supporting the country's commitment at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to keep at least 50 per cent of the nation's land area under forest and tree cover.

To this end, Arthur said the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia will strengthen cooperation with the Pahang state government and related agencies in policy coordination, technical advisory services, monitoring and conservation of affected forest areas.

Since Sept 14, the Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) has been conducting integrated enforcement and mapping operations after suspecting that the Tasik Bera permanent forest reserve was illegally cleared for commercial crops such as oil palm and rubber.

UPNP suspects an illegal syndicate from outside Pahang manipulated the Orang Asli community to carry out large-scale land clearing under the guise of customary land and the community's roaming area.

-- BERNAMA