KOTA KINABALU: A two-week survey is underway at the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) in central Sabah to enhance preservation efforts in this vital bastion of biodiversity.
Over 150 researchers, government officials, and conservation advocates will venture into the 27,000ha fully protected forest reserve until Sept 15, to gather data vital for conservation efforts.
The survey follows the expiration of the ICCA Strategic Management Plan last year, which was developed by stakeholders under the stewardship of Yayasan Sabah, based on findings from a similar survey conducted in 2012.
Yayasan Sabah director, Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar @ Yusof Khan Bahadar, emphasised the importance of acquiring up-to-date data on the site's natural resources and wildlife, crucial for the preservation of the area. Imbak Canyon is one of five conservation areas under Yayasan Sabah's purview, including the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, and the Danum Valley Conservation Area.
Imbak Canyon, approximately three times the size of Labuan, is one of Sabah's last substantial unlogged lowland dipterocarp forests, located in the heart of Borneo. It serves as a critical water catchment area for Sungai Kinabatangan, the longest river in Sabah, and functions as a wildlife corridor connecting Danum Valley (43,800ha) and the Maliau Basin (58,800ha).
This sanctuary is home to endangered species such as the Bornean pygmy elephant, orangutan, and clouded leopard. It also plays a crucial role in forest restoration, acting as a gene bank for regenerating degraded areas.
"This survey will provide essential, up-to-date insights into the biodiversity of flora, fauna, and animal species within the ICCA and its surrounding areas, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive successor plan that will guide future conservation initiatives," said Gulamhaidar.
The survey's objectives include gathering essential data for the ICCA Strategic Management Plan, documenting wildlife abundance and distribution, and assessing potential threats such as poaching, forest fires, and the impact of surrounding land use.
In addition to conservation, the survey will explore the area's potential for tourism development and identify research questions for future explorations.
"With over 150 participants, including distinguished researchers, government officials, and support personnel, we aim to examine every aspect comprehensively," he added.
Seven campsites have been established for the survey, with participants allocated to ensure thorough coverage within a 2km radius of each site.
Led by the Sabah Wildlife Department, the survey organising committee includes the Yayasan Sabah Group, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Parks, WWF Malaysia, Sabah Environmental Trust, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Universiti Teknologi Mara, among others.
"We are committed to rigorously evaluating the data collected, ensuring a collaborative approach that incorporates diverse perspectives for the benefit of both the environment and the people," he said, adding that a seminar will be held to showcase the findings.