KUALA LUMPUR: The amendment to the National Forest Act has seen illegal logging in the peninsula dwindling in the past few years, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said yesterday.

Before the act was amended in 1993, 211 cases of illegal logging were reported.

The amendment paved the way for better and effective enforcement, said Kurup.

From the beginning of this year, eight cases were recorded against 30 last year and 42 in 2008.

He said RM5.5 million was collected in compounds in 2008 and 2009, while 92 individuals were arrested and 101 heavy machines were confiscated.

"Unfortunately, of late, there has been encroachment and illegal logging in forest reserves in the country.

"We are looking at this issue very seriously. There will be no compromise when it comes to such matters.

"We will take stern action," he said after officiating at the 39th World Forestry Day celebrations at KL Tower here.

Also present were Forestry Department director-general Datuk Razani Ujang, celebrity singer Zainal Abidin and daredevil, Alain "Spiderman" Robert.

On another matter, Kurup said the country had surpassed its 50 per cent target of having forested land.

Malaysia had 59 per cent of forested areas covered by forest and tree plantations, including rubber trees, he added.

"This is very good. If possible, we want to increase the figure although we must also take into account the development of the country. There has to be a balance."

Kurup also hoped that other ministries and government departments would sign the World Forestry Day pledge that he signed at the event.

The pledge was to save, protect and preserve the nation's forests.

Kurup said 300 trees, including the beruas, kundang and sentol would be planted around the Eco Park, near the KL Tower.

In a related development, a total of 100,000 mahang seedlings will be planted by environmentalists and Sai Baba followers at the Raja Musa peat swamp forest in Selangor over the next couple of months.

Eco Warriors Malaysia founder Matthias Gelber said the effort was to restore that part of the area which had been illegally logged and burned.

About 1,000ha of the 60,000ha forest were damaged in the fire.

"This peat swamp forest is a powerful and natural carbon sink needed to combat global warming.

"This kind of forest can also store and filter water."

The replanting project was being carried out with the collaboration of the Selangor Forestry Department and Global Environmental Centre, a non-governmental organisation.

Gelber, who had won the "Greenest Person on the Planet" award in 2008, said the mahang trees were chosen as they grew very fast and could provide a shade for other species to grow.