Kota bharu: Kelantan has 778,708.34 hectares of forested area, or 51.79 per cent of the state's total area, the state legislative assembly was told today. Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud stated that the figure aligns with the commitment under the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Policy to maintain at least 50 per cent of the country's land mass under forest and tree cover.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state government, through the Kelantan Forestry Department, has implemented several strategies, including identifying government land with the potential to be gazetted as Permanent Reserved Forests (HSK). Protected forests are also gazetted according to the forest function classes under Section 10(1) of the National Forestry Enactment (Adoption) (Amendment) (No. 3) 2025, as explained by Mohd Nassuruddin when responding to a query from Zuraidin Abdullah (PAS-Chetok).

Mohd Nassuruddin elaborated that the state government is also carrying out forest restoration and tree-planting programmes through the Greening Malaysia campaign. The state adopts a balanced approach to ensure that the conservation of HSKs and economic development are pursued sustainably, aiming to meet current needs without hindering future generations.

Technological advancements are being utilised to enhance the monitoring and protection of HSKs, including early detection of changes in forest areas and possible encroachments. Information on changes or encroachment is verified through patrols and field inspections before enforcement actions are taken.