Forest provides a myriad of services. This fact is duly recognised and enshrined in the National Forestry Policy, 1978 (Revised 1992) where the Permanent Forest Estate (PFE) is being categorised into four major functions, namely:
· Protection Forest for ensuring favourable climatic and physical conditions of the country, the safeguarding of water resources, soil fertility and environmental quality, the conservation of biological diversity and the minimization of damage by floods and erosion to rivers and agricultural lands;
· Production Forest for the supply in perpetuity, at reasonable costs of all forms of forest produce which can be economically produced within the country and are required for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes, and for export;
· Amenity Forest for the conservation of adequate forest areas for recreation, ecotourism and in enhancing public awareness in forestry; and
· Research and Education Forest for the conduct of research and education.
The above functions are further elaborated under Section 10 (1) of the National Forestry Act, 1984 (Amended 1993) where all State Directors of Forestry in Peninsular Malaysia are required by law to further classify the PFE, particularly the protection forest, into one or more of the following functional uses:-
(i) timber production forest under sustained yield;
(ii) soil protection forest;
(iii) soil reclamation forest;
(iv) flood control forest;
(v) water catchment forest;
(vi) forest sanctuary for wildlife;
(vii) virgin jungle reserved forest;
(viii) amenity forest;
(ix) education forest;
(x) research forest; and
(xi) forest for federal purposes.
Based on the above classification, approximately 10.85 million hectares of the PFE in Malaysia are designated as production forests, with the remaining 3.43 million hectares being protection forests. A total area of 2.12 million hectares of conservation areas, protected by legislation was designated as sanctuary for wildlife, with 0.33 million hectares of which being located within the PFE. To date, Malaysia has also established 72 Virgin Jungle Reserves (VJR) covering 21,284 hectares in Peninsular Malaysia and 48 VJRs covering an area of 90,442 hectares in Sabah. These VJRs are established to serve as permanent nature reserves and natural arboreta, as controls for comparing harvested and silviculturally treated forests and as undisturbed natural forests for general ecological and botanical studies.
To cater for the increasing demand for out-door activities and recreation, a total of 85 forest recreation sites had also been developed in Peninsular Malaysia. These areas coupled with the more renowned national parks such as the Taman Negara in Peninsular Malaysia, the Kinabalu National Park and Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah and the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak has greatly promoted ecotourism in Malaysia. With the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Arts, Tourism and Culture in promoting ecotourism, it is envisaged that this industry will grow from strength to strength in the coming years. There is also the growing importance of the forest for nature education and research. The notable examples are the Pasoh Forest Reserve in Peninsular Malaysia, the Danum valley in Sabah and the Bako National Park in Sarawak which had emerged and acclaimed international status as centres for tropical forest studies.
