Economics and social aspects of Dipterocarp forests

Zul Mukhshar M. S., . (2003) Economics and social aspects of Dipterocarp forests. [Proceedings Paper]

Dipterocarp forests are one of the most important natural resources in Malaysia. The dipterocarp forests comprise about 85 of total forested land in Malaysia and 40 of the timber produced are from the dipterocarp family. In 2001 the Malaysian export of timber and timber products was RM14.3 billion representing 4.2 of the total export commodities. After independence in 1957 socio-economic development programmes to uplift poverty and increased economic activities were carried out through conversion of vast tracts of forest lands particularly for rubber planting and new human settlements. In 1965 the Land Capability Classification LCC was formulated and implemented as a guiding tool in the national land use and development programmes. The LCC classified lands in Malaysia into five 5 major classes according to priority for mining agriculture and productive and protective forests. The immediate effect of LCC was the loss of some forest reserves in many states including species rich lowland dipterocarp forests to mining and agricultural purposes. However in the long run the LCC actually resulted in an increase in the total area of forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia since its implementation in 1960s. Most of the lost lowland dipterocarp forests were being converted to rubber and palm oil estates while new forest reserves were added from previously uncommitted stateland forests. In addition the rubber plantations are now a major source of rubberwood for furniture exports which amounted to RM3.7 billion in 2001. On the other hand fibre materials from the oil palm estates are potential raw materials for the medium density fibreboard and pulp and paper industries. Large-scale land and agriculture programmes in the 1960s and 1970s also resulted in the extensive development of primary wood-based industries in Peninsular Malaysia thus providing sound infrastructure for the further development of down-stream processing industries. On hindsight it is clear that poverty is the major reason for the encroachment of forests in most developing countries but Malaysia has been able to avoid this to a great extent as the result of the LCC.

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Abstract

Dipterocarp forests are one of the most important natural resources in Malaysia. The dipterocarp forests comprise about 85 of total forested land in Malaysia and 40 of the timber produced are from the dipterocarp family. In 2001 the Malaysian export of timber and timber products was RM14.3 billion representing 4.2 of the total export commodities. After independence in 1957 socio-economic development programmes to uplift poverty and increased economic activities were carried out through conversion of vast tracts of forest lands particularly for rubber planting and new human settlements. In 1965 the Land Capability Classification LCC was formulated and implemented as a guiding tool in the national land use and development programmes. The LCC classified lands in Malaysia into five 5 major classes according to priority for mining agriculture and productive and protective forests. The immediate effect of LCC was the loss of some forest reserves in many states including species rich lowland dipterocarp forests to mining and agricultural purposes. However in the long run the LCC actually resulted in an increase in the total area of forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia since its implementation in 1960s. Most of the lost lowland dipterocarp forests were being converted to rubber and palm oil estates while new forest reserves were added from previously uncommitted stateland forests. In addition the rubber plantations are now a major source of rubberwood for furniture exports which amounted to RM3.7 billion in 2001. On the other hand fibre materials from the oil palm estates are potential raw materials for the medium density fibreboard and pulp and paper industries. Large-scale land and agriculture programmes in the 1960s and 1970s also resulted in the extensive development of primary wood-based industries in Peninsular Malaysia thus providing sound infrastructure for the further development of down-stream processing industries. On hindsight it is clear that poverty is the major reason for the encroachment of forests in most developing countries but Malaysia has been able to avoid this to a great extent as the result of the LCC.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. QK495 D564R859 2002 Call Number.
AGROVOC Term:	Dipterocarps
AGROVOC Term:	Forests
AGROVOC Term:	Tropical forests
AGROVOC Term:	Forest management
AGROVOC Term:	Economic aspects
AGROVOC Term:	Social aspects
AGROVOC Term:	Land capability
AGROVOC Term:	Forest reserves
AGROVOC Term:	Agricultural development
AGROVOC Term:	Natural resources
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:16
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/13484

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