Area 100 times size of KL set for deforestation, says environmental group

Summary

A recent study by environmental group Rimbo Watch reveals alarming deforestation rates in Malaysia. Between 2017 and 2021, the country lost over 349,000 hectares of forest, with an additional 2.3 million hectares marked for deforestation. Timber plantations were the largest driver of this destruction, followed by palm oil plantations. Despite pledging to retain 50% of its land as forest, Malaysia's forest cover could shrink to just 47% of its total land area in the future, jeopardizing its natural ecosystem and biodiversity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Malaysia is facing significant deforestation, with an area 100 times the size of Kuala Lumpur marked for deforestation.
• 😀 A landmark study by an environmental group, formerly known as the Streamer Disclosure Project, analyzed deforestation trends in Malaysia.
• 😀 Between 2017 and 2021, Malaysia deforested 349,244 hectares of land.
• 😀 Over 2 million hectares of Malaysia's forests are slated for future deforestation, an area larger than the combined size of Pera, Penang, and Malacca.
• 😀 Timber plantations were the primary driver of deforestation between 2017 and 2021, accounting for 41.6% of the loss.
• 😀 Palm oil plantations were also a significant factor, responsible for 15.5% of the deforestation in the same period.
• 😀 The environmental group Rimbo Watch has estimated that Malaysia's forest cover could shrink to 47.35% of its total land area in the future.
• 😀 Despite Malaysia's commitment to preserve 50% of its land as forests, this goal could be jeopardized by continued deforestation.
• 😀 The study, titled 'State of the Malaysian Rainforest 2023', combines data analysis to project future deforestation trends.
• 😀 The deforestation threat highlights the tension between development (such as timber and palm oil plantations) and conservation efforts in Malaysia.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the study conducted by Rimbawan Watch?

The study primarily focuses on the state of deforestation in Malaysia, analyzing both past and potential future deforestation trends in the country's rainforests.

What time period did the study cover for analyzing deforestation in Malaysia?

The study covered deforestation data between the years 2017 and 2021.

How much forest land has Malaysia deforested between 2017 and 2021?

Between 2017 and 2021, Malaysia deforested a total of 349,244 hectares of forest land.

How much additional forest land in Malaysia is earmarked for deforestation in the future?

An additional 2.35 million hectares of forest land are marked for deforestation, an area larger than the combined size of Pera, Penang, and Malacca.

What are the two main drivers of deforestation in Malaysia identified by the study?

The two main drivers of deforestation are timber plantations, which accounted for 41.6% of deforestation, and palm oil plantations, responsible for 15.5%.

What is the estimated future forest cover in Malaysia according to the report?

The report estimates that Malaysia's forest cover could decrease to 15.64 million hectares, or 47.35% of the total land area.

What commitment did the Malaysian government make at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 regarding forest preservation?

At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the Malaysian government committed to maintaining 50% of the country’s land mass as forests.

What environmental group conducted this study on deforestation in Malaysia?

The study was conducted by Rimbawan Watch, an environmental group formerly known as the Streamer Disclosure Project.

How does the deforested area between 2017 and 2021 compare to the size of Malaysian states?

The total deforested area between 2017 and 2021 is approximately 349,244 hectares, which is smaller than the 2.35 million hectares of land earmarked for future deforestation, a figure larger than the combined area of the states of Pera, Penang, and Malacca.

What future impact does the study predict for Malaysia’s forest cover?

The study predicts that Malaysia's forest cover could decline significantly, reducing to less than half of the country’s total land area, potentially threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.