Part 10/16:
Experts warn that Malaysia’s demand for forest conservation is under threat: the country loses about 2.3 million hectares of natural forests annually, with timber plantations accounting for a significant portion of deforestation. They argue that oil palm cultivation actually represents a relatively small threat compared to timber operations and that timber plantations should not be classified as reforestation—given their detrimental effects on biodiversity and ecosystems. Currently, Malaysia’s forest cover is below the 50% threshold, despite commitments to maintain it above 50%, risking further ecological degradation.