Siena:Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, announced that logging companies are required to provide bonds or deposits to ensure they fulfill their obligations to restore and replant licensed forest areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this measure is intended to ensure compliance with forest conservation requirements. Syed Ibrahim confirmed the collection of bonds or deposits for replanting efforts while addressing the Dewan Rakyat in response to a question regarding forest restoration and the planting of tree species that support wildlife habitats in Hulu Perak.

The deputy minister highlighted that replanting is conducted based on the forest ecosystem's suitability and involves local communities, including the Orang Asli. High-value forest tree species such as kapur, merawan kancing, kelat, tembusu, and merbau are among the species planted.

Forest restoration initiatives have also benefited Orang Asli communities by providing employment and income opportunities. In Pahang, a buy-back guarantee scheme for seedlings included participation from Orang Asli and local communities in areas such as Tasik Chini, Cameron Highlands, Janda Baik, Pekan, and Rompin. The initiative in Tasik Chini alone recorded 94,050 trees, with payments totaling RM398,766.

In Sabah, local communities are involved in planting activities, nursery establishment, and community forestry projects, supplying approximately 200,000 seedlings for a habitat restoration project in the Lower Sugut Forest Reserve. In Sarawak, community participation extends to seedling preparation, planting, maintenance, and monitoring through forest landscape restoration initiatives and the Greening Sarawak Campaign.