Sabah Forest Policy 2018.

This updated Forest Policy for the State of Sabah, a revision of the 1954 policy, aims to align the state's forestry development with Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), ensuring lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits. It is structured around 7 key thrusts: resource sustainability, biodiversity and environmental service protection, research and innovation, economic well-being, social well-being, human resource development, and cooperation and obligations at state, national, and international levels, all supported by specific strategies and action plans. The document's mission is to efficiently plan and implement sustainable forest management for Sabah's forest resources, ensuring that at least 50% of the state's land mass is designated and protected for sustainable forestry and tree cover. The following are objectives of the policy under each Thrust (1) Sustainability of Forest Resources by maintaining at least 50% forest cover, ensuring transparent forest administration, strengthening enforcement, and raising public awareness; (2) Protection of Biodiversity and Environmental Services by allocating sufficient Totally Protected Areas (TPAs), safeguarding all forest ecosystems, restoring degraded forests, and minimizing environmental impact from management; (3) Research, Development, Commercialisation and Innovation through programs and new technologies; (4) Economic Well-being by ensuring a viable wood-based industry, optimizing forest revenue - including from Payment for Ecosystems Services (PES) and Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) -, promoting forest tourism, and pursuing carbon and climate change payments; (5) Social Well-being by increasing local community participation in forest management; (6) Human Resources Development by strengthening skills and competency through continuous capacity building and improving organizational structure; (7) State, National, and International Cooperation and Obligation to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and conventions, and foster collaboration among states, nations, and international organizations.