114 enforcement operations carried out against illegal durian farms in Raub forest reserves
Its director, Zainuddin Jamaluddin, said 101 assets and equipment were seized within the forest areas, including pickup vehicles, motorcycles and pesticide sprayers.
He said the operations, carried out by the department's West Pahang Enforcement Unit together with district enforcement agencies, were met with various challenges.
"The challenges include encroachment in remote areas, fenced-off zones, and narrow, dangerous routes. We continue to enforce the law consistently to ensure encroachment does not persist," he said today.
"The department does not compromise on the illegal conversion of forest reserves into durian farms."
Zainuddin said firm action is taken against encroachment, especially where forests have been turned into durian farms or used for other purposes.
"Durian trees are cut down with chainsaws, regardless of their size or location in the forests.
"After the illegally planted trees are removed, replanting is carried out by the department's Silviculture Office using various high-quality timber species such as Meranti, Merbau, Perah and Keruing.
"Encroachments are detected through patrols, drones and satellite imagery."
In 2021, the Forestry Department cut down about 15,000 Musang King trees over 101 hectares in the Batu Talam forest reserve in Raub.
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