A vast forest area in northeastern Sarawak, planned for Indigenous self-governance and conservation, is now under commercial logging.

The Upper Baram Forest Area, spanning 283,500 hectares, was envisioned as a community-led peace park but has been allocated to logging companies. This shift not only undermines the rights of local communities but also accelerates deforestation in a critical biodiversity hotspot.

Indigenous groups had hoped to manage this land sustainably, preserving both their cultural heritage and the forest's ecological integrity.

The long-term vulnerability includes loss of habitat for endangered species and increased risk of landslides due to deforestation.

What is the long-term climate outlook for this region?

With ongoing logging, the Upper Baram Forest Area faces severe ecological degradation. This could lead to a significant loss in carbon storage capacity and biodiversity. Local communities will likely experience reduced water quality and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events.

The long-term outlook is grim without intervention.