REFORESTATION AND CONSERVATION EFFORT IN LOWER KINABATANGAN: SAWIT KINABALU’S EXPERIENCE.

19th August 2014

OUTLINE

• Land utilization

• Conservation/ reforestation

–2003 to 2014

• Conservation program and future plan

Introduction

• Sawit Kinabalu Sdn. Bhd. is a Sabah state own company incorporated in 1996.

• Core business: Palm Oil production

• One of the biggest GLC for the Sabah State Government.

• Land bank of about 80,000 Ha mostly planted with oil palm.

Introduction (continued)

Research and Technical Advisory Services

CENTRAL LABORATORY SAWIT KINABALU BIOTECH

SAWIT SEEDS ADVISORY SERVICES

Pam Oil Mills and Refinery

KUNAK REFINERY

Sg. Pin Estate

Formerly an integrated forest plantation planted with rattan, handed over to Sawit Kinabalu in 1999

Total Area 6375 Ha

Planted area 300 Ha

Plantable area 1901 Ha

OIL PALM PLANTING.

Flooded Area of 300 Ha

Virgin forest of 40 Ha (Bukit Mansuli)

500m and 20 Km of Riparian reserve of 1150 Ha

CURRENT AREA OF REFORESTATION AND CONSERVATION

Reforestation Initiative by SKSB

• Project initiated since 2003.

• Strategy:

– Forest self and natural regeneration

– To further boost by planting native tree species compatible with wildlife species especially slow regeneration area and flooding area

– Active involvement from local community to prevent land encroachment

• Number of tree planted about 250,000

• Total cost:

– RM 2.0 Million (2003-14)

Wildlife Sanctuary- Current and Potential

• Has the potential to increase the conservation area to about 4000 Ha.

• Very rich in biodiversity. Survey on wildlife population is currently being carried out.

• Require high amount of fund, RM 15.0 Million (6 to 10 years), expertise, involvement of relevant authorities

• R&D centre for wildlife and conservation

• Potential Agro/ eco-tourism with participation by local community

• Conclusion

Flooded Area of 650 Ha

Flood prone forest or regenerated forest of 2374 Ha

500m of Riparian reserve of 1150 Ha

POTENTIAL AREA FOR CONSERVATION

Virgin forest of 40 Ha (Bukit Mansuli)

2004

2014

Fragmented Forests

Flooding Area

Local Community Involvement to Prevent Land Encroachment

• The tree planting in the riparian area (reclaimed from illegal settlers) commenced on September 2013 in collaboration with KOPETA.

Encroached Riparian

TREE PLANTING BY KOPETA as at JULY 2014

B

1

B = Batch

B

2

B

3

B

4 B

5

After 6 month

A day of planting

PATROLLING ALONG THE RIPARIAN AREA

Bukit Mansuli

Current Program and Future Plan

• Standard Wildlife Monitoring Survey. Currently engage (hire) wildlife expert, Borneo Conservation Trusts and Wildlife Dept. on the 2374 Ha forests/ regenerated forests involving study of:

– Wildlife population and orang utan hotspot

– Forest vegetation covers and health

• The result of the survey will guide decision for future considerations

• Animal Translocation. Wildlife rescued from other degraded forests area to be put in Sg. Pin forests: Wildlife Sanctuary

• Potential tourism business

CONCLUSION

• SKSB have the full confidence that we will contribute in uplifting the image of palm oil industry by being environmentally friendly and responsible through its reforestation and conservation project in Sg. Pin, Lower Kinabatangan

• Need strong support from various relevant organizations.

THANK YOU