Perak maintains cap on forest plantation development zone

Perak state government confirms no expansion of its Forest Plantation Development Zone, capping the area at 32,375 hectares within Permanent Forest Reserves

IPOH: The Perak government has no plans to expand or introduce new areas under the Forest Plantation Development Zone (ZPLH) in the state.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state government has fixed the ZPLH implementation at 32,375 hectares, representing about three per cent of the total Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK) area in Perak.

“I would like to emphasise that any development of forest plantation areas within Permanent Forest Reserves is strictly limited to the ZPLH area approved by the state government.

“At present, there are no plans to open or add new areas for the Forest Plantation Development Zone in Perak,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the State Assembly sitting.

He was responding to a question from Azman Noh (BN–Pengkalan Baharu) regarding the state’s plans for forest plantation projects, particularly in light of current low timber prices.

Saarani said a total allocation of 100,000 hectares for ZPLH nationwide was approved at the 68th National Land Council meeting in 2012, with implementation carried out in phases to ensure better planning, environmental monitoring and sustainable forest resource management.

“As of Dec 31, 2025, only 809 hectares from the allocated area in Perak have yet to receive approval,” he said.

He added that, under the ZPLH framework, 31,566 hectares have been approved for forest plantations in the state.

Of this, 8,810 hectares have been developed, 8,184 hectares planted, 626 hectares are currently in the planting stage, while 22,756 hectares remain undeveloped, he said.

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