KOTA KINABALU: Wildlife is returning 'home', thanks to the effective restoration of a severely degraded forest in Sabah.
Stating that new sightings of wildlife were spotted at the Sungai Tiagau Forest Reserve, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir said the Innoprise-Ikea Tropical Forest Rehabilitation Project (Inikea) has managed to make the area homely and attracting animals to reclaim its habitat.
Established in 1988 through the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) and the Sow-A-Seed Foundation, Inikea aims to enhance biodiversity and aid in the recovery of degraded forests in the state.
Spanning 18,500ha within the southern part of Yayasan Sabah’s Forest Management Area, Inikea was now part of the 2012-gazetted Sungai Tiagau Class I Forest Reserve (Protection).
Speaking at the launch of the Innoprise-Ikea Tropical Forest Rehabilitation Project (Inikea) Resources & Wildlife Survey 2023 Seminar, here, on Thursday (May 2), Madingkir expressed confidence that the event would be instrumental in deepening participants’ understanding of the resources and wildlife abundance of the rehabilitated forest.
The seminar also served as a forum for researchers and scientists to present and share their survey findings, focusing on the abundance and distribution of wildlife, potential threats such as poaching and forest fires, the impact of surrounding land use, the potential for tourism development focusing on critical aspects such as attractions, logistics, and accessibility, and exploring future avenues for studying flora and fauna.
Madingkir said under the Inikea project, some 14,300ha have been restored by reintroducing native tree species that were lost due to logging and forest fires.
"This project has become one of Malaysia's largest enrichment-planted areas and the longest active forest restoration area," said Madingkir.
He believed that active participation in sharing feedback and exchanging findings would offer valuable input to support the development of Inikea's inaugural strategic management plan.
Madingkir added that coupled with the expertise from the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Parks, Sabah Museum, Hutan Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme, WWF-Malaysia, Sabah Environmental Trust, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Universiti Teknologi Mara, it would offer a significant contribution establish a guideline in the formulation of Inikea strategic management plan, detailing plans and governance for the coming years.
"These findings will support the formulation of the management plan and will be implemented as the key component," he said.
The Yayasan Sabah Group remains committed to implementing sustainable forest management methods, reinforcing its environmental and social responsibility.
By forging strong partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the private sector, Yayasan Sabah Group ensures that restoration efforts are environmentally sustainable and socially beneficial.
