(2010), this association certifies those plantation companies who set aside areas for
preservation. One of the interesting principles established by the association is that
primary forest and conserved areas should not be cleared for palm oil plantation. It
also respects the rights of landlords and farmers. Sime Darby is an outstanding
example in the practice of sustainable plantation; it maintains natural forests with
estates, wetland areas, river boundaries, areas with gradient of more than 25 degrees,
and native-owned lands. Regarding the latter, the company engages the leader of the
native community before developing any land for plantation use, and does not move
forward without the leader’s consent. Sime Darby also pays compensation to
landlords.
11.3.5 Reforestation
Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands (forestation) that have been depleted, usually through deforestation (Wikipedia
2018). In places where forests have been lost or degraded, restoration or reforestation
projects may be undertaken to guarantee or accelerate the recovery of forests
(Stanturf 2005). In Sarawak, reforestation was aimed to restore the environment;
to ensure sustainability in timber production; to provide employment to poor people
by offering them engagement in reforestation activity; and to signify the role of agro
forestry in the development of rural communities. Rural communities in Sarawak
still depend on traditional medicines rather than the services of hospitals (Hua 2004).
Agro forestry proposes the planting of medicinal plants and wild fruits instead of
timber. It provides financial return and plantation ownership to farmers.
11.3.6 Urbanization
Another cause of deforestation is rapid urbanization (Jones 2010). Population
increases in urban centers compared to rural areas (Jones 2010). Urbanization causes
myriad problems like congestion, environmental degradation and rapid growth.
According to Tan et al. (2013), high-density population conditions put pressure on
nature. In Singapore, deforestation is due to urbanization, this island city-state has
the lowest area of original forest left. However, Singapore is regarded as a green city
because it practices an urban greenery policy. Singaporeans have conventional and
rooftop gardens, parks and tree-lined streets. The effects of urbanization are essential
in calculating the costs of economic development. Changes in the number of people,
migration and industrial revolution speed up urbanization. Urbanization transforms
the ecology and causes the loss of agricultural land. This trend is significantly
exacerbated by the increasingly aggressive push towards Smart Megacities over
the last few years, which leads to additional felling of trees and deforestation even in
traditionally environmentally conscious European countries like UK and Germany
11 Deforestation in Malaysia: The Current Practice and the Way Forward
181
preservation. One of the interesting principles established by the association is that
primary forest and conserved areas should not be cleared for palm oil plantation. It
also respects the rights of landlords and farmers. Sime Darby is an outstanding
example in the practice of sustainable plantation; it maintains natural forests with
estates, wetland areas, river boundaries, areas with gradient of more than 25 degrees,
and native-owned lands. Regarding the latter, the company engages the leader of the
native community before developing any land for plantation use, and does not move
forward without the leader’s consent. Sime Darby also pays compensation to
landlords.
11.3.5 Reforestation
Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands (forestation) that have been depleted, usually through deforestation (Wikipedia
2018). In places where forests have been lost or degraded, restoration or reforestation
projects may be undertaken to guarantee or accelerate the recovery of forests
(Stanturf 2005). In Sarawak, reforestation was aimed to restore the environment;
to ensure sustainability in timber production; to provide employment to poor people
by offering them engagement in reforestation activity; and to signify the role of agro
forestry in the development of rural communities. Rural communities in Sarawak
still depend on traditional medicines rather than the services of hospitals (Hua 2004).
Agro forestry proposes the planting of medicinal plants and wild fruits instead of
timber. It provides financial return and plantation ownership to farmers.
11.3.6 Urbanization
Another cause of deforestation is rapid urbanization (Jones 2010). Population
increases in urban centers compared to rural areas (Jones 2010). Urbanization causes
myriad problems like congestion, environmental degradation and rapid growth.
According to Tan et al. (2013), high-density population conditions put pressure on
nature. In Singapore, deforestation is due to urbanization, this island city-state has
the lowest area of original forest left. However, Singapore is regarded as a green city
because it practices an urban greenery policy. Singaporeans have conventional and
rooftop gardens, parks and tree-lined streets. The effects of urbanization are essential
in calculating the costs of economic development. Changes in the number of people,
migration and industrial revolution speed up urbanization. Urbanization transforms
the ecology and causes the loss of agricultural land. This trend is significantly
exacerbated by the increasingly aggressive push towards Smart Megacities over
the last few years, which leads to additional felling of trees and deforestation even in
traditionally environmentally conscious European countries like UK and Germany
11 Deforestation in Malaysia: The Current Practice and the Way Forward
181