Two tour operators set aside 200 acres
Published on: Sunday, December 11, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Head of European Union Delegation, Maria Castillo Fernandez, launched the FGV-BCT-SWD Biodiversity Awareness Programme and "Plant Trees, Save the Earth" Campaign at Proboscis Lodge Bukit Melapi, Lower Kinabatangan.The collaboration was made with the support from two tour operators in Lower Kinabatangan – Proboscis Lodge Bukit Melapi and Myne Resort – both of whom have shown their early commitment through allocating their own land for Wildlife Corridor (combination area of at least 200 acres) and at the same time execute tree planting which will further enhance the carbon stock.FGV also demonstrates their commitment by protecting 180ha of riparian reserve and setting aside another 20ha from their own plantation for riparian reserve.
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Maria said she was pleased with the support that has been given by the plantation and tourism industry with regards to forest conservation in Kinabatangan. She also said the EU Delegation will try its best to provide any support to further accelerate the progress of the REDD+ Tackling Climate Change through Sustainable Forest Management and Community Development.Meanwhile, Honorary Secretary of Borneo Conservation Trust, Datuk Dr Laurentius Ambu, said the awareness programme allows people from all sectors or industry to gain the knowledge and tools to make sound decisions about business activities and policy practices that impact the environment, especially wildlife, biodiversity and towards the climate.He also emphasised that the long-term aim is to get greater support from the public and future generation in the step to develop the REDD+ strategy for the Kinabatangan Corridor, the establishment of the Forest Protection Programme and the development of forest-related sustainable livelihood for the community.
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Later, in his presentation to the delegation, project manager for REDD+ Kinabatangan, Dr Raymond Alfred, said to implement the conservation initiative in Kinabatangan, three key stakeholders need to be involved, which is the community, the plantation sector and the tourism sector. He said a win-win situation could be established if their needs are listened to and understood.
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"We also know that the community have their own limitation in implementing the relevant conservation activities, especially when the activities involved cost," he explained.He said under the FGV-BCT conservation programme, support to the REDD+ Kinabatangan project focuses more on capacity building of the community, developing sustainable eco-tourism and sustainable practices for smallholders/community, forest restoration programme and empowering community to create sustainable change or alternative livelihood. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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