|
|
|
Puvan (right) handing a mock cheque for RM25 million to Sam (left) watched by Musa
|
5th December, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: Restoring and protecting the habitats of orang utan in Northern Ulu Segama forest received a RM25-million boost from the Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd yesterday.
The state government through the Forestry Department signed a partnership agreement with the palm oil producing company to plant indigenous tree species on 5,400 hectares of degraded land over a 10-year period.
The amount is the largest so far from a private company for wildlife protection specifically in the restoration of orang utan habitats.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman witnessed the signing of the agreement between Forestry Department director Datuk Sam Mannan and Sime Darby’s group chief officer for sustainability Puvan Jegeraj Selvanathan.
When speaking to reporters later, Musa said the government was serious in protecting wildlife and the natural habitats in Sabah.
“The government’s decision to stop logging activities in Ulu Segama has caused us to lose revenue and millions of ringgit in royalties but we are committed to protecting the orang utan and other wildlife,” he added.
The Chief Minister therefore urged more private companies to emulate Sime Darby Plantation in helping the government to rehabilitate and conserve the forest.
Earlier this year on January 29 at the launch of the Sabah Development Corridor, both parties had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to identify and restore areas in Ulu Segama Malua damaged by forest exploration.
The state’s efforts in wildlife conservation has so far attracted the attention of foreign companies and international non-government organisations that have pledged money and resources to help in the effort.
According to Sam, the Sabah government spent nearly RM200 million in forest conservation over the last five years but it was still not enough.
The Northern Ulu Segama is the last forest refuge north of the Segama River where plenty of orang utans can still be found.
Orang utans are said to be attached to their habitats and do not like to migrate.
There are only 400-500 orang utans living in 12,000 hectares of the forest.
|
