EIGHT mangrove forest areas in Penang have been gazetted as permanent reserved forests by the Penang government in a bid to conserve and preserve the environment better.
On Oct 5 last year, the state executive council approved the move to gazette 676.48ha of mangrove forest areas as permanent reserved forests. The mangrove forest areas were gazetted as permanent reserved forests on Dec 15 last year under the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313).
The eight mangrove forest areas were Pulau Betong reserved forest (1.22ha), Juru reserved forest (22.56ha), Chenaam reserved forest (190.11ha & 58.63ha), Sungai Udang reserved forest (44.45ha & 10.9ha), Pasir Gebu reserved forest (127.58ha), Lahar Endin reserved forest (129.1ha), Kuala Bekah reserved forest (69.7ha) and Air Hitam Dalam reserved forest (22.08ha).
State Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the latest addition brought the total hectarage of permanent reserved forest in Penang (which was gazetted under the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313)) to 6,063.25ha; an increase of 18.86% from 2019. Penang recorded 5,100.93ha of permanent reserved forest in 2019.
“Of the total permanent reserved forest hectarage in Penang (6,063.25ha), some 1,057.52ha are permanent reserved mangrove forests,” he said in an interview today.
He said the latest permanent reserved mangrove forests also comprised the 326.49ha Penaga coastal areas which are hotspots for the magnificent migratory birds.
It is touted that over 100 species of birds – migratory and local ones – would gather at these spots in search of food.
Between March and June, travellers touring along Sungai Abdul, Sungai Lahar Endin, and Sungai Tembus in north Seberang Perai by boat will be stunned by the magnificent migratory birds in the picturesque landscape there.
Migratory Asian openbills (Anastomus oscitans), storks and herons are often seen resting on trees along these rivers.
Phee said the state government, through the state Environment Committee on Sept 11, 2019, had decided and agreed that 38 mangrove forest locations (plots of land belonging to the Government and its agencies) comprising 1,619.22ha (digital expanse) were deemed suitable to be gazetted as permanent reserved forests.
“Since 676.48ha of mangrove forest has been gazetted as permanent reserved mangrove forest on Dec 15 last year, there is still some 942.74ha of mangrove forest remaining and yet to be gazetted.
“The Penang government will cautiously carry out the process to ensure everything is in order,” he added.
Phee said the Penang government is committed to conserving and preserving the environment for a sustainable future.
According to the information obtained from the state Environment Committee, Penang has about 7,245.25ha of gazetted forest reserves. A total of 6,063.25ha is the permanent reserved forest gazetted under the National Forestry Act 1984 (Act 313); while 1,182ha is the Penang National Park which is gazetted under the National Parks Act 1980 (Act 226).
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis