KOTA KINABALU: Yayasan Sabah Group will implement more community-based initiatives to integrate the public and local communities in its conservation efforts.
This includes raising awareness in conserving the Silam Coastal Conservation Area (SCCA) for future generations, it said in a statement.
SCCA, situated in Darvel Bay, Lahad Datu, is one of the world's richest marine areas in terms of biodiversity in this region.
On June 25 and 26, Yayasan Sabah Group hosted an open day programme to promote SCCA to the public as a destination for research, environmental education, recreation and ecotourism.
The open day was attended by the public and students from schools around Lahad Datu district.
SCCA is a coastal forest surrounded by mangrove forests and crystal-clear seawater.
It covers the Tumunong Hallo Forest Reserve which is part of the Tingkayu Forest Reserve, Lahad Datu Mangrove Forest Reserve (Extension), Pulau Tabun and Pulau Saranga, as well as the Bangkuruan Mangrove Forest Reserve.
SCCA is located within the Darvel Bay area, which is the Semporna Main Conservation Area (Priority Conservation Area) in the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME) initiative.
To date, 25 mammal species, more than 60 bird species, 100 tree species, 63 mangrove tree species, and 50 coral reef genera have been recorded.