Malaysia’s prime minister has urged the country’s states to limit the number of new logging concessions to help preserve forests.
Abdullah Badawi, speaking at the fourth National conference of Biodiversity in Malacca, said only 58% of the nation’s tropical forest cover remained because of extensive logging activities. He described the forests as a “national treasure” which must be protected at all costs.
Mr Badawi said state governments had other means of income and should not rely too much on logging. The prime minister also believes a check should be made of the level of deforestation taking place nationwide.
States were reportedly positive about Mr Badawi’s statements.
