Proposal on rhino project receives positive attention
Published on: Sunday, October 15, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia's proposal on "Transboundary Conservation Project on Sumatran Rhinoceros" received positive attention during the recently-concluded 11th Heart of Borneo Trilateral Meeting in Tarakan, Indonesia.The proposal, which had been tabled since the ninth session of the meeting, will be carried forward to the Technical Experts Meeting on Oct 18-20 in Jakarta, Indonesia, which will provide technical recommendations on rhinoceros conservation to both governments.Malaysia has also proposed the High Level Bilateral Meeting on Sumatran Rhinoceros Conservation to be held on Dec 4-5.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Trilateral Meeting is an annual event held on rotational basis by the three member countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia, to present progress by each member country in implementing relevant programmes under the initiative; and also serves as an important platform to discuss on possible collaborations under the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative that can be implemented by the member countries. Other significant outcomes of the meeting, among others, are (i) the implementation of the HoB Corridor Project by each member country, whereby connectivity of protected areas between the three countries is to be addressed; (ii) to proceed with capacity-building activities for the proposed "Sharing of Experience and Relevant Data Through the Existing Trans-Boundary Project for Capacity Building" programme; and (iii) the launching of the Visit Heart of Borneo campaign in support to the proposal on Green Ecotourism and Destination in HoB.The campaign was the result from the decision of the 10th HoB Trilateral Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on Sept 5-7, 2016 in adopting the recommendations by the HoB Green Ecotourism Workshop in Tanjung Selor, North Kalimantan, Indonesia on Aug 2-3, 2016. The campaign is seen as an important step to increase visibility of HoB and to promote the rich, natural and cultural heritage of the HoB to tour operators, agencies, visitors and the general public.
ADVERTISEMENT
Malaysia, through the Sabah Forestry Department and Forest Department Sarawak, has identified several top eco-tourism sites in Sabah and Sarawak to be promoted in the campaign. The sites are chosen based on their uniqueness in promoting the Heart of Borneo Initiative within the states, especially in promoting conservation, sustainable natural resources management and also community engagements.
ADVERTISEMENT
The respective states will also have further deliberations with their relevant stakeholders, on the best way of implementing the campaign. In addition to that, both Sabah and Sarawak will also have its special launching of the programme in the respective states in due course. An official logo of the Visit HoB Year 2018 campaign was also launched during the launching ceremony, which will be used as the official promotional tool for the campaign. The logo consists of a Heart of Borneo area boundary on Borneo Island, surrounded by two abstract images of hornbills and leaves depicting the biodiversity of Borneo Island. The hornbill was chosen in the logo as the species was found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia, and they have become a symbol of cooperative relations among the three countries. The Heart of Borneo is the initiative of three countries, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia that share the island of Borneo. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
