Despite the early records of Matang mangrove forest harvesting before 1900, the systematic management - with an introductory working plan (= management plan) (by A.E. Wells), was started only in 1904. Subsequent management plans were developed in 1908 (by J.P. Mead), 1915 (J.P. Mead), 1924 (A.E. Sanger-Davies) and 1925 (J.G. Watson), respectively. However, the tradition of preparing a 10-year comprehensive management plan took place in 1930 (for 1930-1939 by C.L. Durant). Although it’s consecutive 10-year plan (1940-1949) (by E.D. Robertson) was ready, but not fully implemented due to Second World War and Japanese occupation issues. The next working plan in 1952 (for 1950-1959 by D.S.P. Noakes) (using aerial surveys and maps produced by Land and Survey Department of Malaya) was recognised as most authentic for the next generation plans in 1960 (for 1960-1969 by R.G. Dixon), 1970 (for 1970-1979 by Mohamad Darus Mahmud), 1980 (for 1980-1989 by Haron Abu Hassan), 1990 (for 1990-1999 by Gan Boon Keong), 2000 (for 2000-2009 by Azahar Muda &. Nik Mohd Shah Nik Mustafa), and 2010 (for 2010-2019 by Roslan Ariffin & Nik Mohd Shah Nik Mustafa). In fact, the working plan of 1950s is the basis for a 30-year mangrove forest rotation cycle at Matang. The current (2010-2019) plan represents the first 10-year period of the third 30-year forest rotation.
State Forestry Department of Perak – the controlling authority of Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, has been responsible for preparing management plan once in 10 years. The Forestry Department allocate permissible (productive) area to the pole/charcoal contactors in the vicinity. According to the ongoing plan (2010-2019), there are 214 contractors depend on Matang for pole and charcoal production. For this yearly economic trading, each pole contractor receives 22.3 ha and each charcoal contractor receives 2.2-6.6 ha. While mangrove poles are used locally, the charcoal is mostly exported to Japan.
Apart from the silvicultural management, the Forestry Department is also keen on supporting research and development activities – primarily aimed at sustainable mangrove management, through their national and international partners. Among others, the scientific cooperation between the Forestry Department and the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has been very active since 2010 and both parties were benefited through several undergraduate (BSc) to post-graduate (MSc & PhD) research works that aimed at understanding the forest management vis-à-vis eco-socio-economic relationships. Some of these research works have fulfilled the knowledge gaps identified by the Forestry Department. In addition, the research needs of the Forestry Department such as -
· Changes in coastal sedimentation pattern
· Vegetation succession patterns
· Circular zones of dead trees inside the reserve
· Condition of old growth trees in the buffer zones bordering rivers and creeks
· etc.
are possible to study through remote sensing data. Therefore, the ongoing MAMA FOREST Project would be of great help to the Forestry Department in return to enhance their ongoing management measures.