Over 7,000 hectares of Tasik Bera Permanent Forest Reserve illegally cleared for crops

KUANTAN: Over 7,000 hectares of the Tasik Bera Permanent Forest Reserve (HSK) are suspected to have been illegally cleared for commercial crops such as oil palm and rubber.

Pahang State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) chief Saifullah Muhammad Ali said the matter was detected during integrated enforcement operations carried out in the area since Sept 14, involving 160 officers and personnel from UPNP, the Pahang State Forestry Department, the Pahang Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), and the Bera District and Land Office.

"In addition, we also obtained security assistance from the Bera district police and the General Operations Force (GOF) 7th Battalion," he said.