The efforts to conserve Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) need to be strengthened because it is the 'heart' of environmental balance.
Persatuan Ekologi Malaysia (PEM) president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said the conservation of HSK is very important for people from the aspect of climate, forest resources and other environmental services (responsibility of caring for, maintaining and sustaining the basic resources such as water, air and forests).
"With population growth and high demand for ecotourism, the position and authenticity of HSK need to be properly managed through regulations and law enforcement that are appropriate to current conditions," he said when contacted by Bernama today.
He said this when asked to elaborate on the Perlis Forestry Department's (JPNP) unique methods of its open conservation concept to teach the community to love the forests more as well as the biodiversity in them.
He said those HSK that are well-managed will guarantee the stability and sustainability of its flora, fauna and ecology.
Dr Ahmad, who is the former president of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), said the JPNP's efforts are good and need to be strengthened by providing information continuously so that visitors get educated.
He said HSK are not just to be kept but must be managed well for the benefit of mankind.
"Mankind must get benefits from the ecosystem services that forests provide, so it is important to have steady and continuous research on flora, fauna and the forest ecology.
"In this way, we get to understand how mankind and forests co-exist," he said.
Dr Ahmad said there are sensitive forest areas and they must be fully protected and there are also forest areas that can be used for ecotourism.
He suggested that the Perlis government allocate part of the forests for educational, research and ecotourism activities.
"Nature education is also a focus, especially as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education is the current trend," he added.
He said that at the same time the state government needs to continue to ensure that HSK remain maintained, well-managed and protected for the benefit of environmental services.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency