FOREST COVER

Today I learn that Malaysia has a land area of 329,847 square kilometres.This incidentally equals 32,984,700 hectares. (I had to google to find the conversion factor). Out of this, 19.52 million hectares consist of forest. That's 59%. The Republic of Laos has 70% forest cover, in comparison.

Out of our total 19.52 million hectares of forest, 14.39 million ha are permanent forest reserves.Out of which, 11.18 million ha can be logged. The rest are state land and national parks and widlife sanctuaries.

I also learn that the actual forest cover can actually increase, as in China, by having forest plantations.In China, as in Malaysia, they plant acacia mainly for the paper industry.You may think having tree plantations can solve our timber supply problems.Of course these ultra-fast growing, high yielding wonders of genetic technology can enrich a country and a community, but monoculture especially the acacia with unpalatable leaves unlike the eucalyptus, does not support wildlife existence except maybe wild boars. This means biodiversity of flora and fauna is destroyed. Wildlife have to seek food elsewhere. Thus you may find a python in your garden and a macauque in your village hall.

Forest tree plantation are the in thing now with government spending billions planting on thousands of hectares. The World Bank also helps by giving technical and monetary aids.
I am not against this. But I wish we can come to a compromise to save the planet from global warming,climate change issues and the like.
Maybe, someone can come out with environment friendly tree plantations?