114 ops against illegal durian farms conducted in Raub since 2019
JPNP director Zainuddin Jamaluddin said a total of 101 assets and equipment were seized within the forest areas, including pickup trucks, motorcycles and pesticide spraying tools.
He said the operations, carried out by JPNP's West Pahang Enforcement Unit in collaboration with district-level enforcement agencies, were not without challenges.
"These include encroachments in remote locations, navigating through fenced-up areas and traversing narrow and dangerous paths. We continue with consistent enforcement to ensure such encroachments do not persist.
"The department does not compromise on the illegal conversion of forest reserves into durian orchards," he said when contacted today.
Zainuddin said firm action will be taken against forest reserve encroachments, particularly where the land has been turned into durian orchards or used for other unauthorised activities.
"Illegally planted durian trees are cut down using chainsaws, regardless of their size or location within the forest.
"Following this, replanting activities involving various high-quality timber species, including meranti, merbau, perah and keruing, are carried out by the department's Silviculture Office.
"Encroachments are detected through patrols, drones and satellite imagery," he added.
In 2021, the Forestry Department felled some 15,000 Musang King trees on 101 hectares of land within the Batu Talam Forest Reserve in Raub.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Forestry Dept clears 3,000 illegal durian trees in Raub
RAUB: The Pahang Forestry Department has chopped down more than 3,000 durian trees illegally planted within the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve here, during an integrated enforcement operation dubbed 'Op Penguatkuasaan Bersepadu Tanaman Durian', which began on July 21. The operation to fell the trees, aged between three and 40 years, was carried out following a decree by the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who urged for immediate action to halt land encroachment activities across the state. Pahang Forestry Department director Zainuddin Jamaluddin said the operation covered an area of about 250ha, equivalent to 351 football fields, and is expected to take two months to complete. "Besides Musang King, D24, IOI and kampung variety durian trees, the enforcement team also cut down rambutan, mangosteen, petai and several other fruit trees planted within the forest reserve. "The operation was supported by the police, People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), the Pahang Enforcement Unit and the General Operations Force. Enforcement teams have been deployed for round-the-clock surveillance at the site," he said when met today. Zainuddin said that since the operation began, the department had not received any objections or threats from the farmers or planters involved. "The farmers have complied with the department's firm action to destroy the trees illegally grown on encroached land. "We issued eviction notices to those involved in illegal land clearing within the forest reserve on July 18," he said. He said those found guilty under Section 32 of the National Forestry Act 1984 may be fined up to RM50,000, jailed for up to five years, or both. Since the operation began last month, enforcement teams have cleared fruit trees from about 50 hectares of the forest reserve. Zainuddin said one of the challenges faced during the operation was accessing the encroached areas, as the enforcement teams had to pass through privately owned land, which was sometimes fenced and locked. "When landowners refuse to cooperate, authorities are forced to cut the locks. "Most of the encroached areas are located behind private properties. "Some landowners use closed-circuit television cameras to monitor the movement of enforcement teams and have refused to cooperate, giving various excuses to deny access through their orchards. "Most of those who encroached into the forest reserve to operate durian and fruit orchards are locals. It is time we remove the crops and structures they built, and stop them from continuing to exploit the forest reserve and government land," he said.
The Star
01-08-2025
- The Star
QuickCheck: Was a man caught trying to transport over 900kg of illegally sourced durians to sell?
DURIAN can be a thorny subject. Most people love the taste of this tropical fruit and hate the profiteering. With the global market for fresh durian valued at US$7.7bil (RM33bil) in 2024, it is obvious that there is a lot of money to be made from the King of Fruits. Recently, it was claimed that a man was caught transporting over 900kg of durians that had been taken from trees planted in a forest reserve. It was also claimed that he man was on the way to sell the ill-goten fruits. Are the claims true? Verdict: TRUE A 48-year-old man was arrested while transporting 919kg of what are believed to be musang king and D24 durians, according to Sinar Harian. According to the director of the Pahang State Forestry Department, Zainuddin Jamaluddin, preliminary investigations revealed that the fruits came from trees that were illegally planted in Compartment 91 of the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve in Raub. 'The seized durians are grade C and D, and are believed to be for the local market. "The vehicle and load have been seized for further action under the National Forestry Act 1984 for trespassing on forest reserves," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 29). It was reported that the durians were worth about RM5,000. Zainuddin added that the suspect was released on police bail after providing a statement. "The department's investigative officers will conduct further investigations before legal action is taken for extracting forest produce (durian) without permission. "The Gunung Benum Forest Reserve is known to be the location of durian and other fruit trees such as mangosteen, rambutan, petai and kantan, which are planted illegally," he said. "The department has identified nine main areas that are often the location of illegal agricultural activities in this forest reserve. "We advise residents who live near forest reserves not to move forest products or carry out any activity without permission, to avoid legal action," he added. Reference: my/article/741231/berita/ semasa/tak-sempat-jual-durian- tanaman-haram-di-hutan-simpan- gunung-benum
New Straits Times
01-08-2025
- New Straits Times
Durian farmer caught with 919kg of Musang King, D24 from protected forest
KUANTAN: A durian farmer's plan to profit from Musang King and D24 durians planted illegally in the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve was thwarted when authorities intercepted a four-wheel-drive vehicle transporting the fruit yesterday. The four-hour patrol, which ended at 7am, led to the arrest of a 48-year-old man and the seizure of 919kg of durians worth about RM5,000. Pahang Forestry Department director Zainuddin Jamaluddin said the grade C and D durians were believed to be for local markets. Investigations showed the trees were located in Compartment 91 of the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve in Raub. He said the department seized the vehicle and the durians under the National Forestry Act 1984 for encroachment and unlawful extraction of forest produce. "The man who was detained was later released on police bail after providing a statement. "The investigating officer will continue with the probe before legal action is taken for removing forest produce (durians) without authorisation," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian. Daily patrols have been conducted since July 21 following the launch of an integrated operation with the Royal Malaysia Police, the Pahang State Enforcement Unit, the General Operations Force (PGA), Rela, and the Raub District and Land Office. "Gunung Benum Forest Reserve has become a site for illegal cultivation of durians and other fruit trees such as mangosteen, rambutan, petai, and kantan, believed to be planted by local residents," Zainuddin said. He said the department would not compromise with those involved in illegal activities in the reserve. More than 40 forestry personnel, along with officers from other agencies, are involved in the 60-day operation. Nine areas have been identified as hotspots for illegal farming. He urged communities living near the forest reserve not to harvest or carry out activities in the area. "Forest department enforcement units constantly patrol high-risk areas within the reserves. Aside from illegal farming, there are also individuals entering the forests for recreation. Entering a forest reserve requires a permit or official permission. "We have placed numerous signboards stating that entry without authorisation is an offence. Everyone must comply to avoid facing legal action," he said.
