Climate watchdog report warns Malaysia’s forests in danger of permanent loss due to concessions.

The Malaysian rainforest, with its rich biodiversity, is facing a grave threat of deforestation. RimbaWatch, a conservation group, used multiple forest cover baselines to assess the risks faced by Malaysia’s natural forests. Their analysis revealed that 14-16% of Malaysia’s remaining natural forests are at risk of being cut down, jeopardizing the country’s commitment to maintain forest cover across 50% of its territory.

The main drivers of deforestation in Malaysia include timber and palm oil plantations, with monoculture plantations threatening the diverse ecosystem of the rainforest. RimbaWatch’s findings have been met with skepticism from Malaysian officials, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing economic development with environmental conservation in Malaysia.