The Sarawak State Government is committed to the development of Industrial Tree Plantations (ITP) and plans to have 1 million hectares of planted tree by 2025.
The aim being to reduce the current logging of the tropical forests and be able to supply the timber demand from sustainable ITP. By doing this, Malaysia stands to benefit through diversification of the economy, job creation and reduce dependence on external markets.
The largest Industrial Tree Plantation in Malaysia is being established directly south of Bintulu in an area set aside for tree plantations. The total area set aside is 432,000 hectares of which 218,000 hectares has been planted with trees while approx 62,000 hectares is set aside as protected area and the remaining area of 152,000 hectares is still under development.
The area lies between latitudes 2˚30” and 3˚15” North and longitudes 112˚30” and 113˚ 45” East.
Although the scale of the planting is in itself a remarkable achievement, it is the integrated application of Sustainable Forest Management principles that make this project unique in the region.
Project activities revolve around three core and inter-dependant objectives, namely
- Establishment of a sustainable and economically viable source of wood fibre from industrial tree plantations.
- Conservation of Sarawak's rich biodiversity and the development and implementation of sustained use policies where appropriate.
- Development of rural facilities, infrastructure and economic opportunities for local communities while maintaining respect for their rights and traditions.
To meet these objectives, the project is structured into several programs, each headed up by a specialist in that particular field which in turn reports to the Senior General Manager. Descriptions of each program activity can be found from the links on the left.
This project is a benchmark for all other timber grown in Malaysia and has some remarkable achievement in the field of R&D and Conservation. It has some of the best genetic material in South East Asia in the form of high yielding Acacia mangium, Eucalyptus pellita and Eucalyptus deglupta clones which are being propagated at a modern cutting nursery.
GP Pusaka Sdn Bhd (GPP) has been awarded a concession on this area as the Management Company and main contractor.
GPP’s roles are to:
- Harvest and transport the timber to point of sale.
- Replant the harvested area with improved varieties.
- Maintain and protect the planted area.
- Conserve all the protected area including fauna and flora.
- Interact with other stake holder/locals living within the project area to ensure a healthy co-operation and co-existence.
- Fulfill GPP Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by assisting local people where needed.
- Ongoing research to ensure the best genetic material is being established and managed in the most productive way.