The total land Managed by LRAD could be classified primarily as rubber planted area and non rubber planted area. The non rubber planted area includes 10% of the total land area planted & maintained as a protected forest/buffer zones. Leaving dead wood in the rubber planted area thicker than size of a normal pencil is prohibited due to spreading of deadly white root disease (Rigidiporus lignoses). The spread of the disease is by root contact with infected root debris of the old stand- p106 Handbook of rubber volume 1(2001).

However the company policy on dead wood in the non rubber planted area including protected forest/buffer zones is as follows:

Dead and decaying wood is recognised for the important contribution it makes in maintaining the biodiversity of woods and forests. A number of rare and endangered species depend on this habitat for their continued existence. The importance of deadwood habitat is reflected in the number of deadwood-reliant species in the Biodiversity Action Plan.

We hereby declare that from now on we set a side a minimum of 1 m3 of dead wood per hectare in the forest/buffer zones in the non rubber planted area. This may be standing or lying down. In general no large size deadwood will be removed. Large size deadwood can only be removed if it becomes a real threat or an obstruction to forest workers/machinery. Removal of branches is allowed.

Our employees are aware of the dead wood policy of our company.

Any decision regarding changes to the dead wood policy will be in accordance with good forest management practices & will be initiated by the Board of Management of LRAD.