4 CALLS

From Collages

In the last 70 years, Malaysia has experienced a great loss of its natural forest cover, especially lowland and coastal forests. Large scale agriculture expansion since the late 1950s, and development aims in pursuit of economic gains, superseded the need to protect our natural environments. Between 1957-1965 alone, a total of 438 878 ha of forest land was opened for conversion to agriculture, and this figure has steadily increased since.
2010 holds many great hopes for the environment. In our International Year of Biodiversity, lets we say STOP, PROTECT, MANAGE, REDUCE.
1. STOP FOREST LOSS AND DEGRADATION
a. Moratorium on conversion of any intact natural forest, particularly those within our Permanent Forest Reserves.
b. For state governments to undertake to amend to the National Forestry Act, and that the revised forest enactments to require prior notification of all proposed clearance/ excisions, allowing for public participation and increased transparency.
c. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) for climate change; protect critical swamp and lowland forests.

2. PROTECT TEMENGGOR
a. No issuance of new licenses for logging in Temenggor.
b. Phase out logging in Temenggor ( as promised by previous Chief Minister).
c. Gazette Temenggor as a totally protected area.
d. Increase enforcement on wildlife hunting and trade.

3. MANAGE MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
a. Manage and limit development in marine and coastal areas, including setting aside protected areas.
b. Develop and include ecosystem- based management approach in management plans for all marine and coastal areas in the country.

4. REDUCE CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AND CARBON FOOTPRINT
a. Review and reduce reliance for dams and coal powered power plants, in line with Prime Minister's pledge to reduce Malaysia's emission intensity by up to 40% in 10 years.
b. Adopt and implement with urgency, the National Policy on Climate Change, with emphasis on the development of a national climate change adaptation strategy.

HOPE WE CAN MAKE IT REALITY.THANK YOU...
By Cikgu Aril