Going all out to protect Terengganu’s forest reserves

KUALA TERENGGANU: The 10men state Forestry Department enforcement unit will go all out to protect forest reserves despite being shot at, intimidated and threatened with machetes by illegal loggers and their syndicate leaders.

Wrestling with illegal loggers were a norm but the hardened enforcement men answer the call of duty first while taking all precautions not to get themselves harmed.

“We have to protect the state’s economic resources from being plundered by people who are motivated by greed,” said a member of the enforcement unit.

Wanting to be identified only as Ahmad for safety reasons, he said the 10-men unit were selected based on their bravery, integrity and willingness to make sacrifices by staying away from families for long durations.

“Every operation presents different risks and scenarios because we are well aware that our every move will be watched by spies employed by the illegal logging syndicates.

“With only 10 men, this unit takes care of forest reserves covering 544,118ha in seven districts in Terengganu. Most of the time, the team will spend several days and weeks in the jungle to track down illegal logging operations.

“Illegal logging is serious in three districts namely Besut, Dungun and Hulu Terengganu. We have achieved some measure of success in Dungun and Hulu Terengganu but stopping the incursions in Besut has been met resistance.

“In fact, we have received information that syndicate members in Besut have been tailing some of our men to their houses as if intimidating them and giving a signal that they can act aggressively against the family,” said Ahmad.

He recalled an incident earlier this year when the enforcement unit confronted a group of illegal loggers used machetes to overcome forestry men in an effort to recover a backhoe seized earlier in a forest reserve in Hulu Besut.

“It was a chance encounter with the loggers and it never occurred that it became a life-threatening situation. The team was spared the worst after the syndicate members took away the backhoe and escaped in the oil palm estate.

“Despite these challenges, the team members are committed towards protecting the state heritage and economic resources. This is our jihad.”