An Overview Of Forest Offences In Protected Areas

Forest encroachment and illegal logging are statutorily recognised as forest offences or forest crimes under several forest-related acts. This is significant in a way it can mitigate the adverse loss of major biodiversity, forest environment quality and forest-dependent livelihood. Forest offences are found to take place within the protected area (i.e., permanent reserve forest (PRF), national parks, sanctuaries) and state land forest where the rate of forest offences in PRF is found to be higher in numbers. Related forest legislation, statistical data of forest and wildlife offences and works of literature are analysed to find gaps in the current statutory protection of the forest environment. Forest is a subject listed under List II (State List) and List III (Concurrent List) in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia hence, this has contributed to several forest-related laws and governing agencies. Thus, the dynamic relationship between state and federal government is significant in ensuring forests that are home to thousands of species of biodiversity, flora and fauna to be safeguarded and protected for future generations to cherish.