21-05-2025
NCR landowners key to Sarawak's forest carbon strategy, says SFD
A section of the 150 attendees photographed during the seminar.
BINTULU (May 21): Sarawak continues to strengthen its commitment to climate change mitigation by engaging Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners as strategic partners in the implementation of sustainable forest carbon activities.
According to Sarawak Forest Director Datu Hamden Mohamad, community participation is essential for effective forest carbon management, with NCR lands serving not only as 'cultural heritage assets' but also as vital sources of livelihood and identity.
'NCR land holds great potential in contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions,' he said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Bintulu Regional Forest Officer Hwang Chiong Hee during a Forest Carbon Management seminar here on Tuesday.
'Active involvement from local communities can bring long-term economic returns while preserving the environment,' said Hamden, as quoted in the Sarawak Public Communications Unit report.
'Sarawak has taken legislative steps to formalize this strategy by amending the Forests Ordinance 2015 to recognise carbon as a forest product.
'In 2022, the state also introduced the Forests (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules, providing a legal framework to license and regulate forest carbon activities,' he said.
These measures, he added, ensure the rights of NCR landowners and developers are protected with transparency and integrity.
The seminar emphasised the importance of community-based forest management and the need to establish strong collaboration networks among the government, agencies, and local communities to ensure sustainable forest resources for future generations. carbon Datu Hamden Mohamad NCR Sarawak Forest Department
