HoB Initiative success within 12 years
Published on: Saturday, March 23, 2019
By: Neil Chan
Kota Kinabalu: The country has made significant achievements within the Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative since its implementation 12 years ago.Ministry of Water land and Natural Resources Secretary General Datuk Zurinah Pawanteh said since the HoB Declaration was signed among three countries – Brunei Darussalam. Indonesia and Malaysia – in 2007, there was a significant increase in areas designated as the HoB area including areas designated as Totally Protected Areas, Permanent Forest Reserves as well as Permanent Forest Estates within the HoB boundaries.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We have also fostered close relationships with our two counterparts in Brunei and Indonesia in jointly protecting our forests as well as in increasing our capacity in transboundary landscape management.
“A number of joint efforts have4 also been initiated through the HoB Initiative such as the HoB Corridor Project, Trans-Boundary Protected Area Management, Trans-Boundary Conservation Project on Sumatran Rhinoceros and recently the Visit the HoB Campaign to promote eco-tourism in the HoB area.”
She said this in her speech which was read out by Ministry Undersecretary (Biodiversity and Forestry Division) Dato Wan Mazlan Wan Mahmood at the closing of the International Heart of Borneo (HoB) Conference 2019 -Transcending Boundaries for A New Conservation Era which was held a hotel in Kota Kinabalu on Friday.
The conference was hosted by the State Government and the Sabah Forestry Department and saw 700 participants of different backgrounds, representing various agencies, both local and international, three keynote addresses and more than 46 papers attend the discussion on conservation efforts in Sabah. She said the HoB area harbours large and continuous tracts of virgin montane forest, much of which remains unexplored. It is home to a myriad of unique as well as endemic species native to the area.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Therefore, it is only right that the conservation and sustainable management of the HoB area is considered as one of the priorities of the Government.
“However, as also deliberated in this Conference, we are aware that managing multiple-use landscapes effectively on the basis of sustainable land use planning and implementation with regard to the balance of ecosystem. socio-cultural, economic and political aspects in the HoB areas is indeed a challenging task.”
ADVERTISEMENT
She recorded her deepest appreciation to the State Governments of Sabah and Sarawak for their relentless effort in ensuring the national aspiration on the HoB Initiative a success and thanked the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia for their involvement and support to the HoB initiative.
She was optimistic that with close cooperation and concerted efforts between all parties, the goals that have been set out for the HoB Initiative in Malaysia can be achieved.
She said a number of Memorandum of Understanding were also signed during the Opening Ceremony of the Conference which signifies smart collaborations and concerted effort of various parties or agencies contributing towards conservation in Sabah.
“Therefore, I believe that this Conference including the exhibition had conveyed the message to the participants in showcasing the accomplishments of the HoB Initiative and its importance for the continuation of conservation in Malaysian Borneo.”Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
