Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Forestry Department recorded several noteworthy achievements last year, with forest revenue totalling RM164.7 million amid the challenging world economy and trade.
In a 306-page 2025 Annual Report released at the Forestry Headquarters in Sandakan, Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Zulkifli Suara said these include official recognition of the Pin Supu Forest Reserve (FR) in Kinabatangan as the first terrestrial International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) addition to the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas in Malaysia.
This recognition by the IUCN is for excellence in conservation and protected area management, he added.
He said the State’s forest cover is maintained at 63pc, the highest of the three regions in Malaysia, as well as 30pc Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) through gazettement soon.
In legislation, the Forest (Amendment) Enactment 2025 was passed to regulate carbon activities and establish a framework for carbon trading.
Such activities in forest reserves, state land and titled land will be licensed under terms and conditions that protect the State’s interests, Zulkifli said.
“Additionally, Sabah recently passed the Climate Change and Carbon Governance Enactment 2025, positioning it as a leader in environmental conservation and resilience against climate change,” he added in a statement, Monday.
Last year also saw the inception of an inaugural workshop and project board meeting of the Integrated Landscape Management for Sustainable Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Project in Sabah (Folur) as well, he said.
Development projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) were successfully implemented, with 99pc and 99.8pc expenditure for state and federal development projects, respectively, utilised over the five-year period, he added.
More information on the annual report can be accessed at the Sabah Forestry Department’s website.
