WWF re-launches Sabah Landscapes Programme for holistic conservation

 By Olivia Miwil - December 4, 2020 @ 12:27pm

KOTA KINABALU: The World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) has re-launched its Sabah Landscapes Programme (SLP) to focus on a holistic approach towards conservation.

It was launched during yesterday's WWF-Malaysia's Facebook Live "Nature Talks: What is a Landscape? Introducing Sabah Landscapes Programme" event.

"The SLP combines both conservation and sustainable development by integrating the protection of forests, wildlife and rivers, with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified production of oil palm, and the restoration of ecological corridors and riparian reserves.

"It also aims to support Sabah's existing policies to protect 30 per cent of its rainforest by 2025; maintain 50 per cent of forest cover; and attain 100 per cent RSPO certification through the jurisdictional approach by 2025," according to a statement.

Through the landscapes approach, SLP builds on three pillars: Protect (protection of forests, wildlife and watersheds); Produce (production of sustainable palm oil and timber); and Restore (restoration of degraded habitats and ecological corridors).

The SLP will focus on three priority landscapes: Tawau, Tabin and Lower Sugut. In addition, SLP will also subsequently enhance conservation efforts in Kalabakan, Central Forest and Ulu Padas-Nabawan.

According to WWF-Malaysia SLP leader Dr Faisal Mohd Noor, it is a vital step for SLP to engage various stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, businesses and communities.

"It is SLP's vision that by 2030, Sabah's biodiversity, ecosystem services and agricultural systems are valued, protected and responsibly managed, are climate-resilient and bring benefits to both people and nature.

"They (communities) are often marginalised by conventional conservation approaches.

"On the other hand, a landscape approach has considerable potential to meet social and environmental objectives from the ground up, while also contributing to state and national environmental commitments," said Dr Faisal.