Govt lauded for forest reserve amendments

By OLIVIA MIWIL | olivia@nst.com.my

RECLASSIFICATION: Political courage essential for balanced development, say agencies

KOTA KINABALU: THE Borneo Rhino Alliance (Bora) and Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) applauded the state government's move to protect and preserve five forests measuring more than 70,000ha across the state.

The State Assembly had on Thursday passed an amendment to the Forests (Constitution of Forest Reserves and Amendment) Enactment 1984 to reclassify four reserves, which were described as having high conservation value. The fifth reserve is a new classification.

The areas reclassified as Class I forest reserves were Malua in Lahad Datu (33,969ha), Mount Magdalena (6,665ha) and Sungai Tiagau (19,870ha) in Tawau, and Tambulanan (3,265ha) in Pensiangan.

Malua Forest Reserve plays host to the world's largest tropical conservation bank that rehabilitates orang utan and other species under threat.

Bora executive director Datuk Dr Junaidi Payne said the status elevation of Mount Magdalena and Sungai Tiagu would act as a buffer zone for the Maliau Basin, Imbak Canyon and Danum Valley conservation areas.

In a statement on Friday, he said the amendment also covered other aspects, including the addition of 6,429ha of previously unprotected mangrove forests in Menumbok, into the forest reserve system.

Junaidi said this would help sustain the fisheries of the Brunei Bay area by protecting natural nurseries.

"Now, it is up to other relevant authorities to ensure that the number of fishes and prawns are brought to sustainable levels."

Leap executive director Cynthia Ong said political courage was essential to balanced development and sustainability.

Citing the death of 14 Borneon pygmy elephants at Gunung Rara Forest reserve in Tawau recently, Ong said non-governmental organisations had to play their part and collaborate with the government in efforts to conserve and protect wildlife.

She said along with other NGOs and research organisations, Leap had urged various timber and oil palm plantations in the Gunung Rara Forest reserve to work towards gaining Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.

"We wish to remind Forest Management Unit (FMU) licence holders, and both oil palm and timber plantation companies at the borders of the newly upgraded areas of their responsibilities.

"Every effort must be made to ensure there is no encroachment into these forest reserves by poachers."

The Malua Forest Reserve plays host to the world’s largest tropical conservation bank that rehabilitates orang utan and other species under threat.

Olivia Miwil

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