Seminar highlights industrial forest plantation devt in state
MIRI: An ongoing seminar on industrial forest plantation here serves as a platform for participants to share their knowledge and experiences through discussions pertaining to the subject.
In addition, it also aims to advocate new strategies for development and management of aggressive industrial forest plantation in Sarawak, as well as to strengthen the relationship, understanding and cooperation between the government and the stakeholders, says Forest Department Sarawak director Datu Hamden Mohammad.
The two-day seminar, which kicked off yesterday, is themed ‘Advancing Sustainable Forestry Through Aggressive Industrial Forest Plantation’ and it involves some 200 participants who are representing various government’s departments and agencies, institutions of higher learning and Licence for Planted Forests (LPF) holders.
Additionally, it also includes ‘virtual participants’ from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia who are taking part in the sessions via Zoom.
“The theme chosen for this seminar reflects the importance of industrial forest plantation for sustainable supply of timber resources for the state.
“Thus, its development needs to be fast-tracked aggressively in the sense that putting up all means, such as strengthening the R&D (research and development), enhancing the resources and utilising technologies to ensure productivity and viability,” said Hamden in his welcoming address for the seminar here yesterday.
He also expressed hope that the seminar would not just be an avenue to present papers and for knowledge-sharing, but also one that would facilitate better networking and pave the way forward in sustaining this industry.
“This seminar will cover a wide range of topics, meant to benefit everyone, especially the LPF holders. Knowing what others are doing will probably give us the inspiration to step up our efforts in ensuring the success of the industrial forest plantation in Sarawak,” said Hamden further.
The seminar hosts four plenary sessions – namely ‘Current Development in International Forest Plantation’; ‘Current Development of Research and Development in Sarawak Plantation’; ‘Community, Technology and Certification’; and ‘Other Potential Industrial Tree Species’.
Yesterday, four virtual presentations from China, Indonesia and Sabah were broadcast via Zoom.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the opening ceremony.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Resources Datu Len Talif Salleh, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, and Forest Department Sarawak deputy director Jack Liam, were also present at the event.