21.   He added that the department, however, would have to consider applications to degazette forest reserves by the State Government to pave the way for development projects.

22.   He adds that many people are still practising open burning, especially to clear land next to forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

23.   He said the State Government endorsed the move in view of the dwindling forest reserves.

24.   In Maran, in the state of Kuantan, a fire has been raging through the Bekelah forest reserve.

25.   In the past, local authorities had approved logging activities in forest reserve areas simply because they did not know they were encroaching on gazetted territory.

26.   It happened when he spotted a fire in the Sepang forest reserves while on his way to the site of the Malaysian Wetland Conservation not far from KLIA.

27.   Just look at our recreational parks and forest reserves, the majority of which lie in catchment areas.

28.   Khoo said the projects were controversial as a hillside, gazetted as a secondary forest reserve, was developed despite fears over such development in the past.

29.   Land rights is a contentious issue in Thailand as the government seeks to protect forest reserves and sort through generational claims to plots.

30.   Local environmentalists say the pipeline passes through protected forest reserves and will endanger wildlife.