MANAGEMENT PLAN
SUMMARY OF
THE FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN OF GAAT-MENGIONG FMU
Forest
Management Plan (FMP) of Gaat-Mengiong Forest Management Unit (FMU) was
prepared as directed by the Forest Department Sarawak to meet the requirement
of Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for forest management certification
[MC&I (SFM)]. This FMP, which will be reviewed at least every five years.
Background of the
Area
A)
Legal Status
·
The
Gaat-Mengiong FMU or in general Forest Timber Licence no. T/3400 has gone
through a series of licence number changes and revision of licenced area. With
the approved from Director of Forests in June 2018, the Part B of Forest Timber
Licence no. T/3401 was excluded from the licence and incorporated into Forest
Timber Licence no. T/3400 to form the current licenced area of Forest Timber
Licence no. T/3400 with total licenced area about 91,217 ha. With the
commencement of the Baleh Hydroelectric Project, an area of approximately
25,027 ha is have been reserve for Baleh HEP Project. The affected areas have
been excluded from FMU area. Gaat-Mengiong FMU has 66,190 ha. FMU area covered
majored part for FTL no. T/3400.
·
FTL
no. T/3400 was issued to Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation
(STIDC)
·
STIDC
contract this licence to Billion Venture Sdn. Bhd., through subsidiary company
Ballinwood Resources Sdn. Bhd. Then further engaged Pan Contractor Sdn. Bhd as
sub-contractor for timber harvesting.
B)
Accessibility
·
Gaat-Mengiong
FMU is served by public road and logging road. It takes about 3 hours from
Kapit Town to reach camp site.
 |
A.
Area
description
The FMU is located between latitude 1º 30.096’ and 1º47.603’, and longitude 113º 03.288’ and 113º 30.890, with Sg. Gaat and its tributaries, Sg.Balang defining most of northern tributaries.
Management objective
The primary objectives for forest management of this
FMP are to optimize the utilization of the forest resources, to regulate the
harvest on a sustained yield basis and to regenerate and improvement of the
stocking of commercial species by suitable silvicultural methods.
Forest Resources
· The FMU are covered by the major forest
type in the area, the Mixed Dipterocarp Forest
· For
timber stocking assessment, a total of 4,096 trees were enumerated in the 328
transects that were established. All trees achieving dbh of ≥20 cm was
assessed. More than
80% of the trees are less than 40 cm dbh. Among
the stem enumerated, Dipterocarps made up about 46% and the
non-dipterocarps accounted for 31% whereas the non-commercial make out the
remaining. The average stocking of
the forest for trees with DBH 20cm and above, is about 32 trees/ha which
accounted for volume about 59m3/ha.
Forest Growth
Ten permanent sample plots have been establishment and enumerated. Periodic measurements will generate information on MAI, mortality rate and ingrowth which we do not have presently. The information on the distribution of tree species, basal area and volume are presented for each plot. The subplots for saplings and seedlings are also presented in the FMP.
The establishment of Permanent Sample Plots was done in 2019. It is planned that the re-measurement will initially be at every three (3) years (minimum) or five (5) years (maximum) depend on the need of management.
Management
Prescriptions and System
· The FMU adopts the multi-purpose,
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), which are socially compatible, ecologically,
and environmentally sound and economically viable.
A)
Forest Zoning
·
The forest areas are zoned into: -
§ Production
area – Production area of timber with Reduced Impact Logging applied to ensure
sustainable production of timber
§ Conservation
area – Protected area to serve environment protection, flora and fauna
protection as well as research studies, timber tree seed production and
conservation of genetic diversity.
§ Community-use
are as listed below: -
o Shifting
Cultivation area
o Settlements
o Areas
of religious significance to the local people
o Gravity
feed water supply catchment areas
B)
Harvest System
· FMU adopted Reduced Impact Logging (RIL)
and using crawler tractors.
The use of modified excavator for log extraction is also in consideration
·
Adequate training provided to employees to
ensure the competency to perform the job
· All log to be measured, tagged and royalty
marked at the Place of Royalty Marking (PoRM) in the FMU area.
·
Cutting limit & Cutting cycle &
Harvesting Period
§ FDS
allowed FMU to have cutting limit of ≥45 cm dbh for non-dipterocarp and ≥50 cm
dbh for dipterocarp. There the cutting limit is adopted.
§ The
cutting cycle adopted is 25 years with 20 years harvesting period and current
General Harvesting Plan have been to be to fit the 25 years cycle with 20
coupes under FMU area.
·
Yield Regulation / Rationale for rate of
annual harvest
§ Use
MAI of 1.0 m3 /ha/annum with 25 years cutting cycle
§ Expected
yield of 6,263 m3/month.
§ Annual
Allowable Cut (AAC) = 75,160m3/annum
· General Harvesting Plan (GP) has to be
submitted first to Forest Department Sarawak. This consists of a map with a
scale of 1:50,000 shows the coupe numbers, main road network and production
areas, conservations areas and river buffer zones. Once this is approved a
detailed harvesting plan is prepared for a coupe in a map with a scale of
1:10,000. This shows more detailed road networks, the blocks, and also
conservation areas. This will be submitted to Forest Department Sarawak again
for approval. Once approved pre-harvesting activities, such as operational
inventory, boundaries demarcation, road alignment and construction will
commence. Once completed, these activities will be checked. Once approved
timber harvesting may begin. Once completed, post – harvesting will be done to
investigate on the residual trees and to construct bunds along steep slopes of
skid trails. In poorly stocked areas enrichment planting may be done.
Silviculture and Rehabilitation Management
Methods of silviculture treatment largely be enrichment planting in areas that are seriously affected by harvesting operations.
It was suggested Kelampayan (Neolambarkia cadamba), Engkabang (Shorea macrophylla), Binuang (Octomeles sumatrana), Kapur (Dryobalanos spp.) would be ideal species for enrichment planting.
Mosaic planting method will be employed.
Forest rehabilitation and reforestation carried out with line planting of the fast-growing species with planting interval of 3 metres.
Environmental
Impact
· Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was
done in November 2008 for the proposed re-entry logging. EIA has been approved
with approval reference number (4) NREB/6-3/2F/41
· The EIA report includes the study of
environmental impact, conservation of the natural forest, mitigation measures
and environment management for soil conservation, erosion control, management
of drainage and runoff, preservation of water quality, solid waste disposal,
road safety and traffic management, management of socio-economic impact.
· Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Reports
(EMR) are undertaken by consultant and have been submitted to the NREB
regularly following approval of the EIA.
Socio Condition
·
Social Impact Assessment was done in March
2012.
· Based on assessment, a total of nine (9) settlements
located within (Rh. Sepulau 1 & 2, Rh. Ramong, Rh. Balang) and
adjacent (Rh. Senentang , Rh. Ng Ajan, Rh Sebiro Hulu, Rh. Sebiro tengah ,
Rh Sebiro Hilir) to FMU.
·
Indigenous people from 9 settlements are
comprises from ethnic Iban. Subsistence farming, fishing, hunting and the
collection of non-timber forest product are the main traditional economic
activity for them.
· Based on the casual interview with
communities, medical and education services are two major government assistance
enjoyed by the local community. Medical services were received through
government hospital. Meanwhile for
education, there are primary schools at Ng Said, Sg Sut and Ng Balang. For
secondary education the students will go to SMK Kapit and SMK Baleh at Ng. Gaat
· The new Communities Representatives
Committee (CRC) had been formed and endorsed on 1st November 2022 to provide a
platform for the communities to raise their suggestion and request in this case
on community services and project. With the assistance from FMU, matters can be
brought to Forest Management Certification Liaison Committee (FMCLC) or higher
level to expedite the project approval by relevant government agencies.
Download COMPLAINT FORM here.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)
- To reduce the risks of accident and to create safe working conditions for the timber workers and their families, they were trained both internally and externally.
- The commitment and vision towards safety and health clearly reflected in the Occupational Safety and Health Policy dated May 2017.
- DOSH “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in Logging Operation” is used to drawing safe practice procedure.
- OSHA committee was established were also formed in accordance with the requirement of the laws. This is to ensure that safety procedures are closely adhered to.
Ecological
Four
main fundamental needs for conservation have been identified. They are
conservation areas for biodiversity conservation,
conservation areas for protection of soil and water, conservation areas for
protection of ecosystem and conservation areas for community important. The
identification of conservation/protection areas or HCVAs is done by using the
Malaysian Tool Kit which was developed by WWF. According to Malaysian Tool Kit
for HCV identification
a. Wildlife
· Baseline information on Ecological Status
of Mammal and Avifaunal Species within Logged-over area of Billion Venture Sdn.
Bhd. was produced on November 2015.
·
Wildlife Protection Ordinance is followed
by FMU.
·
SFC Circular No.2/2021 is one of additional
measures to control hunting in FMU area.
· Awareness briefing are given to local
communities and employees to increase level of awareness of the importance of
all aspects of wildlife conservation.
b. Conservation
of Flora
·
Flora biodiversity is mainly assessed with
establishment of Permanent Sample Plots (PSP).
·
Conservation of mother trees, protected
species and nesting tree
Risk and Opportunities
· The risks and opportunities concerning compliance with requirements of the standard are identified. There are 5 risks and 4 opportunities identified.
Stakeholder
Consultation
·
FMCLC
shall serve as a platform for multi-stakeholder to discuss any matters of
common interest or issues within the FMU area. Which comprise from FMU holder,
local communities, related government agencies and authority agencies. Forest
Management Certification Liaison Committee (FMCLC) is a committee chaired by
Regional Forest Officer, FDS with committee members comprises of FMU holder
(FMURC), Local Communities (CRC Representatives) and related government &
authority agencies such as Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), Sarawak Forestry
Corporation (SFC), District Officer (DO), Land & Survey, etc.
