THE State Government agreed Wednesday to gazette 2,500 hectares as a conservation area at the Upper Segama River under the 1997 Wildlife Enactment. CM Musa said the gazetting was in view of the area's importance to the wetland ecosystem and the ratification of the convention on wetland conservation of which Malaysia is one of the signatories.
Apart from creating a protection zone for the proboscis monkeys, it would also serve as a wildlife corridor linking the Tabin and Kulamba wildlife sanctuaries, he said.
Musa said the gazetting would assist in developing the eco-tourism sector at the Upper Segama River. In order to facilitate this, he said the three villages in the area, including titled land and burial grounds as well as customary rights land, would be alienated. He assured that the interests of the locals there would be looked after.
Meanwhile, Musa said that a dialogue and investment seminar at Magellan Sutera would be held from June 7-8 that would be attended by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.
He said Rafidah would be delivering the keynote address and afterwards she would conduct a dialogue.
At the same time, Industrial Development Minister Datuk Ewon Ebin would be leading a delegation from Sabah to take part in an exposition at Australia's Northern Territory.