UNFCC 2001). Reforestation is the reforestation of forests that have been barren; it
is the planting of forests that are barren due to felling or due to natural disasters. The
purpose of reforestation is to improve the quality of human life, especially through
enhancing the quality of natural resources. The other benefit of reforestation is to
maintain the balance of nature between people, who need to live well, and the rest of
nature. Reforestation is useful to prevent flooding, as the roots of the trees protect the
soil and prevent the runoff of water, causing flooding. The practice also helps
prevent global warming. Reforestation and greening are linked, since by encouraging reforestation, the environment will be cooler, ensuring groundwater availability,
and so greater soil fertility. However, reforestation alone is not enough. We must
also avoid actions that degrade and pollute the environment to begin with.
11.7.3 Disaster Risk Management
Deforestation can cause landslides if vegetation is not adequate to provide pressure
holding in the soil (Abidin 2016). As stated, it is widely known that one of the effects
of deforestation is landslide, a disaster that can cost lives. In order to prevent
casualties, Malaysia needs a disaster response team who stand ready to handle
emergency situations. This has been implemented through the establishment of the
SMART team—the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team. It was
established in May 18, 1994, under the National Security Council with the approval
of the cabinet. It consists of several members of the Fire and Rescue Department of
Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Armed Forces (SMART
2017). This team needs to be ready to provide disaster relief and rescue victims.
Malaysia must maintain the SMART team to keep evolving as a society that is
advancing as the times require.
11.8 Conclusion
Based on the findings and discussion above, it can be concluded that the majority of
the respondents were aware deforestation is happening in Malaysia. This aligns with
past studies which also showed that palm oil plantation is perceived as one of the
primary causes of deforestation (Klara 2011; Wilcove and Koh 2010). Among the
respondents, 43% experienced the effects of deforestation in one or in more than one
way. Aside from palm oil plantation, urbanization is named the second cause of
deforestation in Malaysia by the respondents. The increasing demand of housing
complexes and commercial areas under the development of the countries and region
cause deforestation in Malaysia (Yong et al. 2014), this is agreed by 32% of the
respondents. Aside of palm oil plantation and urbanization, mining, agriculture and
logging are also considered causes of deforestation. Meanwhile, the majority of the
respondents in general identified climate change, primate extinction and landslides
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is the planting of forests that are barren due to felling or due to natural disasters. The
purpose of reforestation is to improve the quality of human life, especially through
enhancing the quality of natural resources. The other benefit of reforestation is to
maintain the balance of nature between people, who need to live well, and the rest of
nature. Reforestation is useful to prevent flooding, as the roots of the trees protect the
soil and prevent the runoff of water, causing flooding. The practice also helps
prevent global warming. Reforestation and greening are linked, since by encouraging reforestation, the environment will be cooler, ensuring groundwater availability,
and so greater soil fertility. However, reforestation alone is not enough. We must
also avoid actions that degrade and pollute the environment to begin with.
11.7.3 Disaster Risk Management
Deforestation can cause landslides if vegetation is not adequate to provide pressure
holding in the soil (Abidin 2016). As stated, it is widely known that one of the effects
of deforestation is landslide, a disaster that can cost lives. In order to prevent
casualties, Malaysia needs a disaster response team who stand ready to handle
emergency situations. This has been implemented through the establishment of the
SMART team—the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team. It was
established in May 18, 1994, under the National Security Council with the approval
of the cabinet. It consists of several members of the Fire and Rescue Department of
Malaysia, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Armed Forces (SMART
2017). This team needs to be ready to provide disaster relief and rescue victims.
Malaysia must maintain the SMART team to keep evolving as a society that is
advancing as the times require.
11.8 Conclusion
Based on the findings and discussion above, it can be concluded that the majority of
the respondents were aware deforestation is happening in Malaysia. This aligns with
past studies which also showed that palm oil plantation is perceived as one of the
primary causes of deforestation (Klara 2011; Wilcove and Koh 2010). Among the
respondents, 43% experienced the effects of deforestation in one or in more than one
way. Aside from palm oil plantation, urbanization is named the second cause of
deforestation in Malaysia by the respondents. The increasing demand of housing
complexes and commercial areas under the development of the countries and region
cause deforestation in Malaysia (Yong et al. 2014), this is agreed by 32% of the
respondents. Aside of palm oil plantation and urbanization, mining, agriculture and
logging are also considered causes of deforestation. Meanwhile, the majority of the
respondents in general identified climate change, primate extinction and landslides
188
A. Omran and O. Schwarz-Herion