Malaysia's Rainforest Crisis
Malaysia is home to some of the world's most biodiverse rainforests, covering nearly 63% of the country - that's an area the size of the entire UK! These forests are absolutely packed with life, supporting over 5,500 flower species, 2,600 tree species, and more than 1,000 butterfly species.
The country faces a serious problem with deforestation happening through three main methods. Clear felling wipes out entire forest areas completely, whilst selective logging only removes specific trees. Slash and burn farming involves local communities cutting down trees and burning land to grow crops.
Quick Fact: Malaysia has some of the world's best environmental protection policies, yet illegal logging still happens in Borneo.
Despite having excellent environmental laws on paper, the reality is quite different. The UN reports that Malaysia's deforestation rate is accelerating faster than any other tropical country globally.