KINABATANGAN: Back in 2017, several forest sites along the Kinabatangan river here were filled with scattered patches of trees owing to the damaging effects of logging over the years.
But today, the same sites have produced trees growing to heights of more than 10m, owing to reforestation efforts taken by Animal Projects & Environmental Education (APE Malaysia).
These efforts have also seen the local wildlife species utilising the replanted trees as part of their habitats.
With more than 150,000 trees planted at 13 sites along the Kinabatangan river to date, these are part and parcel of the social enterprise’s programmes in support of conservation projects in a sustainable manner.
The planted trees have an impressive 75% survival rate.
APE Malaysia project director Mazrul Mahadzir said tree-planting projects were part of efforts to reconnect fragmented habitats in Kinabatangan, citing its importance for the conservation efforts.
He said the 13 sites they are working on are also gazetted as part of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, designated by the Sabah government.
“There are numerous endangered species like the Bornean orangutan, pygmy elephant, Bornean sun bear and proboscis monkey. It’s a special place not just for Malaysians but everyone around the world,” he said in an interview.
Mazrul said among the key signs of their efforts paying off is that the surrounding wildlife is utilising the replanted trees.
“At one of the sites, we have spotted an orangutan’s nest at a planted tree. This means the primate is passing through and using it.
Think green, act green: Trees planted at APE Malaysia’s reforestation project sites along the Kinabatangan river are first nurtured at nurseries managed by the group. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
“We also set up camera traps where we see the presence of other animals like the pygmy elephant and sun bear,” he said.
Among the challenges for reforestation efforts, Mazrul said, was working against the elements as well as diseases affecting the planted trees.
Building the local community’s trust is another crucial element towards ensuring the project’s success, he said.
“It’s a long process. We need to be here and establish relationships but gradually, we see the community accepting our work and slowly joining us.
“It’s not an easy process and we cannot skip this,” he added.
Mazrul said APE Malaysia also runs volunteering projects at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok, alongside other special projects with other groups in Penang, apart from reforestation projects.
In the long term, Mazrul said they hoped to replicate reforestation works in other parts of Malaysia, including the peninsular.APE Malaysia project manager Mark Louis Benedict said the day-to-day operations involve the team coming to maintain the planted trees.
“These are trees that have been planted about a few weeks or months prior.
APE Malaysia team members clearing one of their sites in preparation for one of their reforestation projects along the Kinabatangan river in Sabah. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
“Each of the trees must be well taken care of to ensure good survivability,” said Benedict, who has been working at the Kinabatangan landscape for the past 15 years and overseeing forest restorations works of the ground team.
On the planting process, Benedict said there are periods where the site has to be readied for planting.
“This refers to areas that might not be ready for trees to come in yet.
“Here, our team has to prepare the site and survey the area before we start planting,” he said.
Site preparation, Benedict said, is a lengthy process which could take between two and three weeks, depending on conditions.
“Only once it is done, we begin marking areas where each tree will be planted.
“The planting progress may take a month or two, depending on various factors,” he said, adding that planting is usually done between March and November which are the relatively drier months here.
The team, Benedict said, comprises three full-time staff as part of its tree-planting squad as well as four to eight youths from Kampung Sukau here.“At one time, seven to eight people will be on the ground at each site,” he said, adding that the team worked on a rotation basis across its 13 sites.
Home sweet home: Some trees grow beyond 10m, owing to reforestation efforts taken by APE Malaysia, which see local wildlife species utilising them as part of their habitats in Sandakan, Sabah. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
Among the trees planted are the Ficus racemosa Moraceae (Tangkol), Nauclea subdita Rubiaceae (Bangkal) and Terminalia copelandii Elmer (Talisai Paya) species.“All our planted trees are indigenous to the Kinabatangan landscape as well as fast growers, flower and fruit-bearing trees.
“They are important food resources for the keystone species here like the orangutans, hornbills and others,” said Benedict.
He said the trees are first managed at the two nurseries handled by APE Malaysia team members.
“Here, we propagate our own trees either through seed collection or wildlings. We then take care of them before getting them ready for planting,” he said.
The tree propagation process is also assisted by local communities.“About 75 families are currently working and collaborating with us. They are mainly womenfolk including single mothers,” he said, adding that these groups set up their own nurseries with the team assisting with training and technical expertise.
“Whenever good quality saplings are produced, we buy it from them and bring them into our nurseries for planting at the restoration sites,” he added.
Home sweet home: Some trees grow beyond 10m, owing to reforestation efforts taken by APE Malaysia, which see local wildlife species utilising them as part of their habitats in Sandakan, Sabah. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
All team members and local communities contributing to the project are from the Orang Sungai tribe in Kampung Sukau.
Both Mazrul and Benedict said they were honoured that APE Malaysia is being recognised by the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA).“This gives our team greater motivation, knowing we are doing good things for the environment, wildlife and local community. We hope this allows us to do much more for wildlife protection and conservation, not just in Sabah but across the whole of Malaysia.”
For their noble efforts, APE Malaysia is named as one of the 10 winners of SGHA 2024.
SGHA is an annual award by The Star that honours everyday Malaysian unsung heroes.
For details, visit sgha.com.my.
