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WWF MalaysiaTabung Alam Malaysia
Suite 1-6-W116th Floor, CPS TowerNo. 1, Jalan Centre Point88000 Kota Kinabalu
PO Box 1439388850 Kota KinabaluSabah, Malaysia
Telephone : + + (6088) 262420Telefax : + + (6088) 242531E-mail : [email protected] ; www.wwfmalaysia.org www.water.org.my
This press release and associated material can be found on www.wwfmalaysia.org
Press Release
For immediate release –14 June 2002
Contact: Pamela Fletcher Phone Number: (088) 248 490 Communications Officer Fax Number: (088) 248697
WWF Malaysia - e-mail: [email protected] for Wetlands Programme
KOTA KINABALU, June 14 2002 – The 2-day Workshop on Forest Restoration in the
Kinabatangan Floodplain organized by the District Office of Kinabatangan, WWF Malaysia-Partners
for Wetlands Programme and Sabah Wildlife Department, held at Sukau, Kinabatangan from 12th-13th
June, ended on a positive note with participants from the oil palm sector committing their support to
make this forest restoration initiative a success.
The first day of the workshop highlighted conservation initiatives being carried out by projects under
WWF Malaysia and HUTAN (a French NGO led by two primatologists) in the Kinabatangan
floodplain and governmental support from the Forest Research Centre, Sabah Wildlife Department,
Drainage and Irrigation Department, Environmental Conservation Department and Kinabatangan
District Office towards these initiatives.
Two breakout sessions were held on the second day to discuss Oil Palm Plantations & Local
Reforestation and Ecotourism & Environmental Rehabilitation and Community Participation in
Reforestation.
The discussion on Oil Palm Plantations & Local Reforestation drew attention to the oil palm
industry’s willingness to participate in forest restoration activities to further strengthen the riverbanks
and Kinabatangan wildlife corridor adjacent to their area of operations. However, incentives have to
be forthcoming to ensure the long-term sustainability and commitment of the oil palm industry in
pursuing forest restoration activities.
Resolutions at the end of the discussion included:
1) Pontian United Plantation Berhad, Global Agri Services Sdn. Bhd. and Borneo Samudera Sdn.
Bhd. will each initiate or enhance land allocation for forest restoration work in the
Kinabatangan floodplain
2) Further research and experimental plots to be established to produce a forest restoration master
plan, which will determine among others, suitable planting material, soil type and planting
method
3) To determine availability and quality of planting material and assist in setting up of seed
nurseries in participating oil palm plantations
4) Exploring the viability of tax deductions for forest restoration work
The discussion on ecotourism and community participation looked at the need for awareness for
education, alternative livelihood development and enforcement. It was agreed that areas needing
reforestation shall be mapped, and adopted by companies or individuals.
Resolutions at the end of the discussion included:
1) A body is needed to coordinate activities, including nurseries and sales of seedlings
2) There should be stronger links between tourism, homestay and environment protection,
including forest restoration
3) A small capital fund is needed to begin, and that can be made into a sustainable funding
mechanism
For further information:Pamela Fletcher Tel: + 248490 Email: [email protected]
