KOTA KINABALU: IMBAK Canyon, one of the few bastions of primary forests in Sabah, received a pledge of RM77 million that will go towards its preservation.
National oil and gas company Petronas made the commitment here yesterday to fund efforts by Yayasan Sabah, guardians of the 30,000ha site in Ulu Kinabatangan about 300km from here.
The sum will go towards the development of the Imbak Canyon Studies Centre on a 27ha site near the conservation area under the second phase of the effort between Yayasan Sabah and Petronas.
This was the second injection of funds towards the preservation of the natural gem in the heart of Sabah. In 2010, Petronas had pledged RM6 million to support conservation activities.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman launched the second phase project in a ceremony here yesterday, that was also attended by Yayasan Sabah director Datuk Sapawi Ahmad and Petronas president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas.
The studies centre, scheduled for completion in 2016, is poised to become the central hub for research and studies on the environment and biodiversity in the area. It will house an office complex, laboratories, research stations, education complex and related facilities.
“The partnership between Yayasan Sabah and Petronas represents both organisations’ solemn commitment towards preserving the ecology for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Shamsul Azhar.
Sapawi said the centre would strengthen the position of Imbak Canyon as a centre of learning in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, as well as for gene bank conservation and exploration for pharmaceutical and biotechnology potential.
There are around 70 species of medicinal plants found in the area and the local communities living in the surrounding areas are known to have strong ethno-botanical links to Imbak Canyon, underlining it as a potential site for biotechnological research.
In the first phase, activities were targeted towards environmental education, community outreach, public awareness, research, ethno-forestry studies and documentation, capacity building, formulation of a management plan and initial work toward the construction of the studies centre.
The initial funds were also used for the construction of the Imbak Canyon Information Centre and a jetty, located in Kampung Imbak, as well as the establishment of a Porters and Guides Association.
With the latest injection of funding, Petronas has committed a total of RM83 million towards the conservation of Imbak Canyon.
The 30,000ha conservation area is a lowland dipterocarp forest located deep in the heart of Sabah and is one of four conservation areas managed by Yayasan Sabah. The others are Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Silam Coast.
In 2003, Yayasan Sabah voluntarily designated Imbak Canyon as a conservation area for research, education, training and recreation.
In 2009, the state government moved to gazette the area as a totally protected forest.
It is home to several endangered species, including the Bornean Pygmy Elephant and Proboscis Monkey. Evidence of Sumatran rhinoceros have also been discovered via sightings of several footprints and wallows.
At least 200 bird species have been recorded, including five bird species endemic to Borneo, including the blue-headed pitta, white-browed shama, black-throated wren-babbler, Borneon blue flycatcher, Borneon bristlehead and helmeted hornbill.
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