LETTER | Who will be the loser in durian fiasco?
A
LETTER | What’s next after the enforcement at Batu Talam Forest Reserve? I applaud the Pahang Forestry Department for the recent enforcement operation against illegal plantations at the Batu Talam Permanent Forest Reserve, Raub. The illegal durian farm fiasco and uproar have certainly brought to light a few points. The most obvious one is whether the issue of encroachment is new or has it been perpetuated through the decades?
Illegal farming has been happening for many years and a study was done in 2002 to highlight the dangers of encroachment.
Since the authorities know about the dangers, why isn’t the state government implementing a more sustainable and planned enforcement instead of an impromptu operation? Enforcement efforts should be stepped up while providing illegal farmers a sustainable livelihood by guiding them on good agricultural practices instead of just leaving them in the dark after the trees are chopped down