The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Selangor welcomes the news that the state government will not issue any more logging licences although this report was later qualified by an official statement that this would only be temporary.

We agree with the state Agriculture, Natural Resources and Entrepreneurial Development Committee chairperson that logging is not necessary in Selangor.

Our forests are home to our wildlife and many of our endemic animals and plants are threatened with extinction. In addition, our forests provide a range of essential ecosystem services such as carbon capture and prevention of soil erosion, landslides and flash floods. Thus, every effort must be made to better protect our forests.

Selangor still has some lowland forests but they have been decimated by development and agriculture. Highland forests in Selangor along the Main Range serve as important water catchment areas, but are increasingly threatened by development activities.

Mangrove forests sustain fish and other aquatic fauna. The forests also act as ‘filters’ by recycling nutrients, trapping litter, removing toxic matter and preventing the intrusion of salt water into adjacent lands.

Development, aqua-culture and unsustainable harvesting of wood have already vastly reduced or degraded mangrove forests in Selangor especially on the mainland.

There are enormous public costs associated with destroying or degrading forests, and just as enormous public benefits to be gained by conserving forests.

MNS Selangor urges the Selangor government to make the logging ban permanent. We also advocate that the government consult the public before any more forest is excised for other landuse.

As the public gains in understanding of the value of our forests, the government's wise decisions and measures to protect them would be well appreciated.

The writer is branch chairperson, Selangor Malaysian Nature Society.