Page 17 - Tropical Peat Swamp Forests of Sarawak FA
P. 17
Peat swamp forests in Sarawak
Peat swamp forests are fast diminishing and Status of peat swamp forests in
under constant threat because of the increasing Sarawak
demand for timber, palm oil, minerals and other
resources. Though some may view this as an Since the early ifties the coastal peat swamps
of Sarawak played an important socio-economic
inevitable consequence of development, experi- role, as a source of income through logging.
ences elsewhere have shown that disturbances Many towns in the coastal region have based
to these ecologically sensitive areas will reduce their economic development on downstream
their biological diversity, thereby curtailing activities generated by the logging industry
our future options to exploit these resources in the peat swamp forest. Many logged peat
for food, medicine and other products. Without swamp forests have been converted into oil palm
plantations or agricultural ields. Management
proper planning and clear policy guidelines, of peat swamps is often aimed at improving the
the continuous exploitation and conversion of conditions for economic activities. It is esti-
these areas will impair their ecological integrity mated that to date more than 300,000 ha of peat
and will cause long-term environmental conse- swamp areas in Sarawak have been cultivated or
quences. Such concerns have been raised by are designated for cultivation.
many parties. Satellite imagery indicates that in 1995/1996
12,264,830 ha of Sarawakâs land was covered
by forest. Of this, 1,140,744 ha (about 9%) were
in peat swamp areas. More than 80% lies in
Little egret spotted
along one of the
natural peat rivers Distribution of major forest types in Sarawak, Malaysia.
in Sarawak.
16 16 17 17
Peat swamp forests are fast diminishing and Status of peat swamp forests in
under constant threat because of the increasing Sarawak
demand for timber, palm oil, minerals and other
resources. Though some may view this as an Since the early ifties the coastal peat swamps
of Sarawak played an important socio-economic
inevitable consequence of development, experi- role, as a source of income through logging.
ences elsewhere have shown that disturbances Many towns in the coastal region have based
to these ecologically sensitive areas will reduce their economic development on downstream
their biological diversity, thereby curtailing activities generated by the logging industry
our future options to exploit these resources in the peat swamp forest. Many logged peat
for food, medicine and other products. Without swamp forests have been converted into oil palm
plantations or agricultural ields. Management
proper planning and clear policy guidelines, of peat swamps is often aimed at improving the
the continuous exploitation and conversion of conditions for economic activities. It is esti-
these areas will impair their ecological integrity mated that to date more than 300,000 ha of peat
and will cause long-term environmental conse- swamp areas in Sarawak have been cultivated or
quences. Such concerns have been raised by are designated for cultivation.
many parties. Satellite imagery indicates that in 1995/1996
12,264,830 ha of Sarawakâs land was covered
by forest. Of this, 1,140,744 ha (about 9%) were
in peat swamp areas. More than 80% lies in
Little egret spotted
along one of the
natural peat rivers Distribution of major forest types in Sarawak, Malaysia.
in Sarawak.
16 16 17 17
