Forest Cover explained

The ‘forest cover’ can be defined in different ways. You need to consider facts such as ‘primary’ forest i.e. virgin forest that has aged with high density and abundant wildlife.  As opposed to ‘secondary’ forest which has been harvested for timber but has re-grown. The amount of primary forest in Malaysia is relatively small: less than 20% of its total forest area. The deforestation rate has been one of the highest in the world in the past decades. The loss of forest cover is mainly due to urbanization and forest conversion for timber and plantations.

Primary forests are the most significant for biodiversity and wildlife. The only primary forests left in West Malaysia are mainly in the national park Taman Negara. If East and West Malaysia compared, then most of the remaining virgin forests are in East Malaysia. To save these forests from destruction, there will need to be the political will to abandon the exploitation mindset. Rainforests have a crucial value as healthy ecosystems for people and wildlife, especially as carbon sinks to combat climate change.

Sources: https://www.dosm.gov.my/,  https://www.britannica.com/,  https://en.wikipedia.org/,  https://www.statista.com/,  https://www.mongabay.com/