Kota Kinabalu: The State Government represented by the Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Wildlife Department has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) together with the Yayasan Sabah Group and Sabah Environmental Trust (SET) to establish a Patrol Initiative Cooperation (Enforcement and Monitoring) in DaMal Rainforest Landscape (DRL).
“I understand that from 2017 to 2023, a total of 644 patrols have been carried out, covering a total area of 252,299 square kilometres and there have been 61 arrests that have been successfully made throughout the DaMaI area to combat forest crimes such as hunting and illegal logging,” he said.
Regarding the forum, Abidin said it was important to create awareness, especially about the importance of protecting Sabah’s forest treasures and supporting the DaMaI Initiative so that the sustainability of natural resources and wildlife continues to be preserved.
The forum is one of the activities planned under the MoU signed between the Yayasan Sabah Group, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department and SET.
It aims to create public awareness, especially to the Sabahan community about DRL, help the community understand the importance of natural habitats and get their support in helping to protect and conserve DRL, and empower communities to coexist sustainably with their natural environment.
“I am sure that this forum can to some extent discuss the importance of DRL not only to maintain the sustainability of Sabah’s flora and fauna but also the interests of all DRL stakeholders including the agencies and communities that live in and around DRL.
“Through this forum, it is hoped that DRL management strategies can be developed so that the sustainability of Sabah’s natural resources continues to be preserved. The support and cooperation of all stakeholders is very important to achieve this goal.
“Therefore, it is hoped that this DRL area can be taken care of together with all stakeholders not only for the benefit of the local community but all the people of Sabah and the world,” he said.
Yayasan Sabah Director Dato’ Sri Haji Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar was also present.
