350,584ha as Biosphere Reserve
Published on: Wednesday, March 11, 2020
By: Yayasan Dalimpos
Nossil beating the gong to mark the opening of the programme.
Tenom: Several areas covering 350,584 hectares have been declared as a Biosphere Reserve under the Human and Biosphere Reserve Programme since June 12, 2014.The reserves are namely Crocker Range Park, Crocker Range Forest Reserves, Rafflesia Forest Reserve, Kawang Forest Reserve and its surrounding areas.
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Sabah Parks Director Dr Maklarin Lakim said the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve comprise part of nine district administration namely Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Tuaran, Keningau, Tambunan, Ranau and Tenom.
He said the Biosphere Reserve is an inland geographical area that can cover up to the coast, managed through a sustainable development approach.
“The Biosphere Reserve is divided into three main zones namely the Core Zone, Buffer Zone and Transition Zone,” he said when launching the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve Roadshow briefing and exhibition at the Murut Cultural Centre recently.
The programme was attended by community leaders and officiated at by Melalap Community Development Leader Nossil Basayu who represented State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony.
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Maklarin said sustainable management encourages conservation and development without negatively impacting biodiversity conservation and natural ecosystem services, especially biodiversity and water supply from a healthy environment.
He said Sabah Parks has been entrusted by the State Government to lead the conservation and preservation of the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve.
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However, he said, it is the responsibility of the government and government agencies such as Irrigation and Drainage Department, Agriculture Department, Forestry Department, Sabah Biodiversity Centre, Local Government, District Office and community leaders to ensure that the reserve is protected and conserved.
On another development, Maklarin said, there are currently 686 Biosphere Reserves located in 122 countries.
From the figure, two Biosphere Reserve is in Malaysia, namely Tasik Chini Pahang and Sabah’s Crocker Range.
On the programme, Maklarin said Tenom is the fourth district to hold it after Penampang, Kota Kinabalu and Kiulu.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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