Unesco's next jewel? Kinabatangan Landscape's nomination promises conservation triumph

 By Olivia Miwil - August 24, 2023 @ 5:44pm


Sabah Forestry chief Datuk Frederick Kugan (right) after the closing of Heart of Borneo conference at Sabah International Convention Centre here. -NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is preparing a dossier to nominate Kinabatangan Landscape as the next United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco)'s Man and Biosphere (MAB) site.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry's deputy secretary-general Abdul Wahid Abu Salim said the federal government lauded the efforts made by Sabah for the conservation efforts.

"After the successful declaration of the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve in 2014 as the first Unesco's MAB site in Sabah, the ministry is aware that the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC) is preparing a dossier to nominate the Kinabatangan Landscape.

"We welcome and fully support the nomination of Kinabatangan Landscape to be the next Unesco's MAB site in Malaysia.

"This recognition would further bolster our commitment to preserve this unique environment for present and future generations," he said during the closing ceremony of the International Conference on Heart of Borneo (HoB) "An Ecosystem that Provides" at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.

Present was Sabah Forestry head Datuk Frederick Kugan.

Recognising HoB as an important conservation brand, Abdul Wahid said the federal government, through the ministry, would continue to support Sabah and Sarawak in implementing this Initiative.

He added that the federal government had allocated about RM28 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), 2021-2025, to implement various projects and activities under the HoB Initiative both in Sabah and Sarawak.

He added that Malaysia is working towards fulfilling its shared global responsibilities for biodiversity conservation by adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

It includes translating its principles into the country's national plans and policies.

"Efforts are currently taking place to revise Malaysia's National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans to be consistent with the Kunming-Montreal GBF, taking into account our national circumstances, priorities and capabilities.

"Malaysia also continues to pursue Green Growth as one of the key strategies under the 12MP.

"The strategy emphasises strengthening an enabling environment for green growth, adopting sustainable consumption and production, conserving natural resources, and strengthening resilience against climate change and natural disasters.

"These actions are expected to safeguard not only biodiversity but also the forests landscapes that provide important ecosystems to its inhabitants."



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