HVC ASSESSMENT FOR SAPULUT FR [SAPULUT FOREST DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD]

INTRODUCTION

This outcome was prepared to provide useful information on HCVF aspects for the reference of the FMU holder in the preparation of the Forest Management Plan (FMP).

HCVF assessment is required for forest certification by identifying and managing HCVF values in order to maintain or enhance the HVC attributes identified within project area/FMU.

What is High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF)?

Area within forest that contain environmental and social values, such as wildlife habitat, watershed protection and cultural that are considered to be outstanding significance or of critical importance based on an agreed set of criteria.

Types of HCVF Areas A National Guide For Identifying, Managing And Monitoring HCVF by WWF

Malaysia, October 2009

HCV 1 : Biodiversity Values HCV 1.1 : Protected Areas HCV 1.2 : Threatened and Endangered Species HCV 1.3 : Endemism HCV 1.4 : Critical Temporal Use HCV 2 : Landscape-level Forest HCV 3 : Ecosystems HCV 4 : Services of Nature HCV 4.1 : Watershed Protection HCV 4.2 : Erosion Control HCV 4.3 : Barriers to Destructive Fire HCV 5 : Basic Needs of Local Communities HCV 6 : Cultural Identity of Local Communities

General Background of HVCF Assessment for Sapulut FD

Field survey was conducted from 23rd – 27th April, 2012.

18 staffs were involved.

Divided into 2 groups;

1. Environmental Aspects - John Sugau, Alexander Hastie and Julsun Sikui

2. Social Aspects - Ricky A. Martin

HVCF Assessment Outcome [Environmental Aspects]

HVC 1.1: Protected Areas

Reference:- Fact Sheet of Forest Reserves in Sabah, 2011, Sabah Forestry Department.

KEY: Protected area bordering Project Area (<1km) 1]. Maliau Basin formerly part of Gn.Rara FR and Sg. Pinangah

FR regazetted as Class I in 1997.

2]. Sg. Siliawan formerly part of Sapulut FR, regazetted in 1992.

3]. Sg. Sansiang VJR regazetted in 1984, formerly part of Sapulut FR.

4]. Batu Punggul was first gazetted in 2009 as Amenity Forest.

5]. Nurod-Urod VJR regazetted in 2003 formerly part of Kalabakan FR.

HVC 1.2: Threatened and Endangered Species

Reference:- The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. (CR-Critically endangered; EN-Endangered; VU-Vulnerable).

Hopea semicuneata-CR (A1cd,B1 +2c); Shorea flaviflora-CR

(A1cd,C2a); Shorea johorensis-CR(A1cd); Hopea centipede-EN (A1c +2c); Rafflesia tengku-adlini-EN; Shorea bracteolata-EN (A1cd + 2cd); Shorea leprosula EN (A1cd); Shorea pauciflora-EN (A1cd); Shorea platyclados-EN(A1cd); Alangium javanicum-VU (A1c); Durio dulcis-VU

(A1c); Durio grandiflorus-VU (A1c); Eusideroxylon zwageri-VU (A1cd + 2cd); Gonystylus keithii-VU (A1cd +2cd); Mangifera macrocarpa- VU (A1c); Mangifera pajang –VU (A1c); Rafflesia keithii-VU; Shorea macrophylla-VU(A1cd).

There are 8 plant species that listed as Vulnerable (VU), 5 Endangered (EN) and 3 Critically Endangered (CR) found within the FMU. Hopea semicuneata. Shorea flaviflora, S. johorensis, H. centipede, S. bracteolata, S. leprosula

, S. pauciflora, S. platyclados, S. macrophylla, etc.

Rafflesia tengku-adlinii (Rafflesiaceae) found near Batu Saap (IUCN-EN).

HCV 1.3: Endemism

It has been estimated about 50% of the plants in Borneo are endemic to this island. This high level of endemism in Borneo can be further substantiated through the revision of large genera under the Flora Maleseana project and more recently conservation assessment work carried out by FRC. For example, in the Family of Dipterocarpaceae, there are 288 known species of which 177 species are endemic to the island of Borneo and a further 5 species are only known from Sabah.

Based on our field survey within the project area, some of the species found are; Dryobalanops lanceolata, Parashorea tomentella, Vatica dulitensis, V. oblongifolia, V. umbonata, Shorea flaviflora, S. patoiensis, S. pilosa and S. fallax.

It is found that the limestone outcrop contains Sabah endemic species, though not endemic to that particular limestone or to Sapulut FR. Some of the species are Paphipedilum rothschildianum, Begonia spp., Paraboea madaiensis, etc.

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (Orchidaceae) found on Entelowow limestone outcrop (compartment 197)

Reference:- Secondary Data - HUTAN (Fauna)

Borneon Gibbons, Pygmy Elephant among other species reported by the HUTAN as part of the wildlife survey submitted to Sapulut FD in Dec, 2011.

No. Location name

Forest

Formation

Altitude

(m) Northing Easting

1 Batu Punggul Lowland MDF 310 04° 38' 29.9969 116° 36' 40.5110

2 Sg Sansiang VJR Lowland MDF 276 04° 38' 24.8601 116° 36' 38.5246

3 Batu Saap Lowland MDF 466 04° 36' 39.7650 116° 38' 34.8698

4 Batu Saap Lowland MDF 505 04° 36' 39.7650 116° 38' 34.8698

5 Entelowow limestone Limestone 600 04° 21 58.81 116° 33’ 45.26

6

Near junction to

Pagalungan Lowland MDF 650 04° 38 14.20 116° 33’ 14.28

HCV 1.4: Critical Temporal Use

Reference:- Secondary information based on primary data that has been formulated into action plan for the state’s iconic wildlife species; RHINOCEROS ACTIONS PLAN [Sabah Wildlife Department] (2012-2016) South-West of Maliau Basin (*Precautionary measure). #ELEPHANT ACTION PLAN [Sabah Wildlife Department] – (2012-2016) Important Ecological Corridor #ORANGUTAN ACTION PLAN [Sabah Wildlife Department] (2012-2016) Important Ecological Corridor # South of Sg. Sansiang and West of Sg. Palagan are potentially and important migratory route linking populations in both Sabah and Kalimantan

HCV 2: Landscape-level Forest

Management area forms part of the connectivity at the landscape level linking Sg. Siliawan, Batu Punggul and Sg. Sansiang to a larger forested landscape. The management area also acts as a buffer to the Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA).

The western portions of the management area forms part of the critical link for trans-boundary movement of Borneon flagship wildlife species towards the mega reserved Muller Schwart National Park (860,000 ha.), South-East Central Kalimantan within the Heart of Borneo area.

HCV 3: Ecosystem

Potentially endangered ecosystems were found, namely previously unknown limestone outcrop (Entelewow). ‘Rare’ Extreme Lowland Dipterocarp Forest (0-200m ASL) was found towards the South-West portions of the management area. Endangered Lowland Mix Dipterocarp forest (200 - 600m) found scattered within the management area. Other forest formations : Upland Dipterocarp and Kerangas Forest, Upland Kerangan Forest, Lower Montane Kerangas Forest and Lower Montane Forest and the 4 mentioned forests formations are largely poorly represented within the larger forested area within the management area.

Forest Formation Original Extent (ha.) Current Extent (ha.)

Lowland Mixed Dipterocarp Forest 29,951.97 17,971.18

*Intensity of Forest Formation Loss: 11,980.79 ha. or 40%

HCV 4.1: Watershed Protection

There is no legally gazetted forest for watershed protection within the management area.

Two areas potentially important sources of clean water for consumptions, i.e. (CPT. 162/166) tribulatory feeding Sg. Sansiang near nursery/camp and (CPT. 157/155) direct water source for Sapulut FD Field Operation Base.

HCV 4.2: Erosion Control

Areas larger land forms about 25° slope have been set aside as mitigation measure for erosion control.

Areas on steep slopes of potentially of 20° and above on the Maliau Soils Association have also set aside for erosion control measures due to the potential fragility of this soils association.

Riparian areas are recommended to have a minimum 30m buffer, major river requiring buffers of 50m with the exception of Sg. Sansiang and part of the Sg. Palagan, recommended buffer of 150m for both side.

Both environmental and social values are considered to be significantly higher in terms of HCVF aspects within the FMU area.

FMU holder need to developed comprehensive management, monitoring and mitigation measures based on the HCV aspects prescribed and use standard available practices/techniques e.g. RIL, in order to maintain or enhance the attributes identified.

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) model with protocol such as implementing Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) technique must be integrated with the relevant targets of the Plant Conservation Strategy within the project area.