Opening of Forest Area

Forest management system that pays special attention ecological and environment factors had begun since early 20^th century; it is aimed to guarantee the timber productions and sustainable forest. The management system of the forest is always reviewed and improved to make it more effective. At present Kedah State Forestry Department is practicing 'Selective Management System' (SMS). Thus, the SMS is designed to achieve sustainability of the forest with minimum forest development costs and to optimize the management objectives of economic and efficient harvesting under prevailing conditions. It requires the selection of management (felling) regimes based on inventory data, which will be equitable to both logger and forest owner, as well as ensuring ecological balance and environmental quality.

Selective Management System (SMS).

Determining Cutting Limit

This system was introduced in 1980s to relate to forest condition where a large area of the forest is situated on hilly and isolated areas because of jungles clearing for development and agricultural purposes.

In order to determine the appropriate minimum cutting limits under the SMS, a pre- felling forest inventory is carried out to provide reliable estimates of the population for all tree species having 5 cm dbh and above, and tree species having a dbh of less than 5 cm but having a minimum height of 15 cm. Physiographic features are also recorded which include slope, elevation, soil types and river systems.