MONITORING PERIOD JAN-DEC 2024

The High Conservation Value Assessment at Raplex FMU has been conducted by Pinnacle Forest Solutions Sdn Bhd together with Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) team on 14th-26th March 2017 and produced the HCV assessment report in June 2017.

Following up on the 2017 HCV report, the SFM Department and FMU have conducted a field study and mapping activity to confirm and verify information provided by the HCV assessor. In 2018, the SFM Department reviewed Raplex FMU HCV based on mapping and data collected and, at the same time, prepared an HCV management and monitoring plan.

In December 2023, the SFM Department undertook the review of the existing HCV report due to the revision of MC&I (Natural Forest) to MC&I SFM to align with FMU HCV assessment, management, and monitoring report with the Malaysian National Interpretation of High Conservation Values 2018 and Malaysian National Interpretation for the Management and Monitoring of High Conservation Value (HCV) 2021.  This also incorporates seven years of HCV monitoring data in the HCV report. The updated HCV is summarised in the table below.

HCV 1 – Protected Area

Referring to letter ref no. WPO.600-3/1/1(8)Jld.4 dated 1st November 2023, FDS requested Raplex FMU to provide 1km buffer zone between Hose Mountain National Park (HMNP). The buffer zone has been mapped in the GP and approved by FDS vide memo ref WPO.600-3/1/1(11)JLD.3 dated 22nd January 2024.

The ground demarcation of the HCV will be conducted when the forest operation progressed from one annual coupe to another. 

In 2024, one (1) aerial boundary monitoring was conducted and no encroachment was observed. 

HCV 1 – Rare, Threatened and Endangered (RTE) Species

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
Strictly banned of hunting by workers via the implementation of DF circular 6/99.  DF Circular 6/99 was emphasized to the staff and forest workers during RTE awareness briefing conducted on August 2024.“NO HUNTING” and requirement of DF Circular 6/99 signboard was display at the base camp, site camp and forest nursery camp.
Appointment of Honorary Wildlife RangerHonorary Wild Life Ranger Reappointment Training was conducted at Wisma STA Kuching on 15th October 2024 and organized by STA Training Sdn Bhd, partnering with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS). Three (3) Ta Ann Group Honorary Wildlife Ranger has attended the training.
To educate workers and local communities to identify RTE species and on the need to protect RTE and wildlife.RTE awareness briefing conducted on August 2024. Poster of gazetted Totally Protected and Protected Species of Sarawak under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance is available at base camp, site camp and forest nursery camp.
MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
Controlled entry to the FMU and record all wildlife collected from FMU (if any).  Book record of hunting activities are available at the gate for controlling the hunting activities by the local communities but no hunting activities by local through the gate were recorded in 2024.  
Conduct wildlife survey (i.e. camera trap, rapid survey, opportunistic sighting) for more accurate determination of RTE species and its species composition.In 2024, data for two (2) wildlife monitoring activities using camera trap were retrieved. Coupe 04A – Post-harvest stage Coupe 05A – Pre-harvest stage A total of 19 wildlife species were identified from camera trap at Coupe 04A.A total of 15 wildlife species were captured at Coupe 05A.  
Monitoring of RTE of flora species through enumeration activityRIL inspection showed that trees are 100% marked from 8 trees verified on pre-harvest stage.At Coupe 05A (harvest stage), 95.16% out of 62 trees verified for protection was free from any damage during the harvesting activities.  

HCV 1 – Endemic Species

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
To educate workers to identify endemic species and the need for protection.Tree Identification Checklist has been prepared under SOP TA-SOP-CON-05 Identification and Protection of RTE Species of Flora and Fauna Protected tree is marked on the ground and mapped into the tree for protection map.  

HCV 1 – Critical Temporal Use

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
Ground demarcation and mapping of Sg. Suau salt lickSg. Suau salt lick was demarcated with 100m radius buffer zone. The area was also mapped in the HCV map. Mapping in the detailed harvesting plan will be conducted once operation reached the coupe in 2037/2038.
MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
Monitor species dependency of salt lick using camera traps  Based on the data collected by SFM from 2017-2024, a total of five (5) mammals and one (1) bird species were recorded.    

HCV 5 – Basic Needs of Local Communities

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
Demarcation and mapping of water catchment area located within Raplex FMUThe water catchment has been demarcated on the ground and mapped in HCV map. This will be included in Detailed Harvesting Plan (DP) and Comprehensive Harvesting Plan (CHP) for Coupe 17 (harvesting year 2037/2038).  
Identifying HCV 5 site through consultative process with local communityIn 2024, two (2) consultations was conducted with local community at Rh. Sekapan Panjang and Rh. Sekapan Pi’it. No new HCV 5 site was identified.  
MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
To inspect the integrity of demarcated water catchment areaBoundary monitoring conducted in July 2024. No encroachment was observed during the patrolling.  

HCV 6 – Cultural Identity of Local Communities

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
Mapping and ground demarcation of the area.FMU has conducted ground demarcation and mapping of  Pulau Mali in the HCV map. No encroachment was detected. Mapping of Pulau Mali into Detailed Harvesting Plan will be conducted once harvesting operation reached Coupe 12 in the year 2031.  
MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONACTION TAKEN
Annual monitoring of boundary and signageAerial boundary monitoring conducted on March 2024. No encroachment observed during patrolling.  

Updated on 30 May 2025 by SFM Department