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Countries Appendix BRUNEI (82.4%) Despite its size, Brunei supports a variety of forest types due to its varied topography and geology. Brunei's forests are largely intact (around 55% are virgin), though environmentalists worry logging may increase in this tiny country's primary rainforests especially once its offshore oil and gas reserves are exhausted in the next century. Currently Brunei enjoys a high standard of living and is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia that does not export timber. Recently the dry el Niño conditions contributed to the spread of fires sparked by slash-and-burn agriculture that burned more than 24,700 acres (10,000 hectares) of forest. Though forest burning has been banned since 1951, slash and burn agriculture is the primary means of clearing land for agriculture in Brunei. Breaking this forestry law is punishable by a maximum fine of $300. The government reacted to the fires by initiating a public-awareness campaign on fire safety and protecting forest biodiversity. The government has otherwise made a strong commitment to conservation. Logging was reduced by 50% from 1990 to 1997. . . . . . For current information I highly recommend trying the CIA and FAO links below. |
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