Source: Borneo Post
Published on 5th June, 2015
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Forestry Department has cautioned that there were signs of the El Nino phenomenon happening again, which will lead to the hot weather and prolonged drought in the state.
Its director Datuk Sam Mannan said the hot conditions that continued since February this year might threaten the safety of state forests, a repeat of 1997-1998 severe forest fires in Sabah which had destroyed over 130,000 hectares of permanent forest reserves.
“Preventative measures will be stepped up. Thus, the Forestry Department urged all parties, especially those living adjacent to permanent forest reserve areas to vigilant and take the necessary steps to ensure be no incident of forest fires that could destroy the forest reserves.
“They are requested not to carry out open burning because it is feared that such activities may spark wildfires. As a further reminder, activities such as poaching, shifting cultivation, cultivation and development of land adjacent to these permanent forest reserves are also among key factors that lead to forest fires,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Sam cautioned those living close to peat swamp forest areas such as Forest Reserves in Binsuluk and Klias in Beaufort and Kuala Abai in Kota Belud that systematic preventive measures are crucial.
“This is because based on past events, forest fires in peat swamps are very difficult to extinguish,” he stressed.
He also proposed SFMLA’s licence holders to come up with an action plan to prevent forest fires in their areas to be implemented promptly by taking into account measures, namely intensive patrolling of areas at high risk of forest fires; ensure all fire-fighting equipment is operating properly and control the forest areas from being entered into by poachers
According to Sam, anyone suspected of having committed open burning that could cause a fire outbreak in the forest reserve areas, legal action can be taken under Section 19 of the Forest Enactment 1968, which provides for up to seven years’ jail or a fine of not more than RM100,000 or both upon conviction.
“The Forestry Department requests for the cooperation of all segments of our society by reporting to the department’s nearest office any forest fire occurrence.
“The cooperation of all parties in this matter is welcome for the sake of the common good, particularly in safeguarding the state’s forest resources,” he added.
The Green Reporter 