o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

NAZIR KHAN NIZAM KHAN & MOHD YUNUS ZAKARIA (2007)
The size of forest area opened for harvesting is regulated and controlled through the National
Forestry Council (NFC). To enhance regulation on harvesting operations, the NFC has decided
to set output cap per unit area, at 85 meter cubic per ha. With this output cap, the damages to
the forest stand is expected to be lower and will ensure sufficient trees left for regeneration
and future harvesting.
Technology Development
Environmentally, socially and economically sound timber harvesting is a fundamental aspect
of wise forest use. In recent years, research into reduced impact logging (RIL) and low impact
logging (LIL) harvesting technologies as a systematic approach to planning, implementing,
monitoring and evaluating forest harvesting has been intensified. The principal aim of the
new technologies is to improve forest management by minimizing the negative impacts of
forest harvesting on the residual stand and the environment.
Reduced impact logging can be described as the implementation of an intensively planned
and controlled set of forest harvesting guidelines, which results in low level of damage to
residual trees, soil and water so that the productive capacity of the forest after logging is
sustained together with its ecological functions.
The essential components of RIL operation generally comprise pre- harvest forest inventory
of individual trees, pre-harvest planning of roads and skid trails‘ direction of felling‘ efficient
utilization of felled trees, minimum ground disturbances and effective field supervision. Besides
the government’s efforts, the private sector has also contributed to the improvement of forest
harvesting technologies. For example, Kumpulan Perkayuan Kelantan (KPK) has initiated
the building of crusher-run all-weather forest roads in its concession areas, while KPKKT
(Kumpulan Pengurusan Kayu Kayan Terengganu Sdn Bhd) has modified an excavator for log
extraction that was found to reduce the amount of logging damage substantially when compared
to the conventional method. In addition, a local company has built a modified excavator known
as RIMBAKA for the purpose of log extraction.
FOREST MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION
From the Malaysian perspective, forest management certification entails an independent
assessment of a forest management operation, according to specific economic, social,
environmental and ecological criteria, indicators, activities and management specifications.
This forest assessment typically includes an evaluation of the economic viability of the
operation, the social and environmental impact of the forest management activities and the
ecological health of the forest. It covers forest inventory, management planning, silviculture,
harvesting, computation and control of the annual allowable cut, road construction and other
related forest management activities.
Since its establishment, the Malaysia Timber Certification Council (MTCC) has been involved
in a number of internal consultative processes to formulate and revise the Malaysian Criteria
& Indicators (MC&I). It involved government departments and agencies, environmental nongovernmental
organisations (NGOs), forest licensees, manufacturers of wood and panel
products, and trade unions.
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