SUMMARY OF THE FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR GAAT-MENGIONG FMU
The Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Gaat-Mengiong Forest Management Unit (FMU) was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Department Sarawak to meet the requirements of the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators (MC&I) for Sustainable Forest Management. This FMP is reviewed at least once every five years to ensure it remains current and effective.
BACKGROUND OF THE AREA
A) LEGAL STATUS
- The Gaat-Mengiong Forest Management Unit (FMU) comprises a management area of 66,190 ha within a total licensed area of 91,217 ha under Forest Timber Licence (FTL) No. T/3400. The licence was originally issued to Perbadanan Perusahaan Kemajuan Kayu Sarawak (PUSAKA), also known as the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), on 12 April 2001 and was valid until 11 April 2021. Following its renewal, the licence was approved for a further thirty (30) years, effective from 12 April 2023 to 11 April 2053.
- The licensed area is operated by Billion Venture Sdn. Bhd. under a contractual agreement with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC). Billion Venture Sdn. Bhd., through its subsidiary, Ballinwood Resources Sdn. Bhd., has appointed Pan Contractor Sdn. Bhd. as the subcontractor to undertake timber harvesting operations within the FMU.
B) ACCESSIBILITY
- The Gaat-Mengiong FMU is accessible via public roads and logging roads. The journey from Kapit Town to the campsite takes approximately three hours.
- The Gaat-Mengiong Forest Management Unit (FMU) is located between latitudes 1°30.096′ and 1°47.603′ N, and longitudes 113°03.288′ and 113°30.890′ E. The northern boundary of the FMU is largely defined by Sg. Gaat and its tributary, Sg. Balang. The figure below shows the locality map of the Gaat-Mengiong FMU.
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| Figure 1: Locality Map of Gaat-Mengiong FMU |
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE
The primary objectives for forest management of this FMP are to (i) optimize the utilization of the forest resources, (ii) regulate the harvest on a sustained yield basis, and (iii) regenerate and improve the stocking of commercial species through suitable silvicultural methods.
FOREST RESOURCES
The FMU is predominantly covered by the Mixed Dipterocarp Forest, which represents the major forest type within the area. For timber stocking assessment, a total of 4.096 trees were enumerated across 328 established transects. All trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥20 cm were assessed. More than 80% of the enumerated trees were below 40 cm DBH. Among the recorded stems, dipterocarp species accounted for approximately 46%, non-dipterocarp species accounted for 31%, while the remaining stems comprised non-commercial species. The average forest stocking for trees with DBH of 20 cm and above was estimated at approximately 32 trees/ha, with an estimated timber volume of about 59 m³/ha.
FOREST GROWTH
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. 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.
MANAGEMENT PESCRIPTIONS AND SYSTEM
The FMU adopts the multi-purpose, Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), which are socially compatible, ecologically, and environmentally sound and economically viable.
1. 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:
- Settlements
- Areas of religious significance to the local people
- Gravity feed water supply catchment areas
2. 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.
· 3. 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.
· 4. 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 PROGRAM
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, Rh Ng Ajan) and
adjacent (Rh. Senentang , 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 Borang Aduan/Cadangan 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.
