Current Status of Forest Biodiversity in Sabah and the Role of the Forestry Department. Sabah Forestry Department

Transcription

1 Current Status of Forest Biodiversity in Sabah and the Role of the Forestry Department Sabah Forestry Department

2 Biodiversity: present scenario (I) Biodiversity variety & complexity of life Rich in tropical rainforests It provides wide range of goods and services that sustain human life Ecosystem services Biological resources Social benefits

3 Biodiversity: present scenario (II) Conservation & utilization of biodiversity major global political, social and scientific concern Successful management partly depends on biological knowledge of the ecosystem Much attention in COP-7, K.L.

4 Bornean Sabah & its biodiversity Borneo very rich & diverse Sabah 1/5 of Bornean diversity is located here Sabah s forests home to many protected rare animals and plants

5 Sabah Biodiversity Richness Some estimates of biological diversity in Sabah: Trees: 3,000 species Orchids: 1,500 species Ferns: 650 species Invertebrates (including insects): 100,000 species Mammals: 221 species Birds: 586 species Reptiles: 197 species Amphibians: 98 species Freshwater fishes: 155 species Marine fishes: 819 species

6 Present trend in Sabah Sabah 7.3 million ha, population 2.9 million Population growth 185% ( ) 60% forested areas :1999 (82% :1972) Timber industry to the State revenue dropped to 18% in 2002 Oil palm areas occupied about 13% (1999) Tourism industry growing fast in Sabah

7 Policies & legislation: biodiversity in Sabah Sabah Biodiversity Enactment 2000 Forest Enactment 1968 & related rules Parks Enactments 1984 & amendments Conservation of Environment Enactment 1996, amendments & related rules Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, Wildlife Regulations 1998 Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment 1997 Sabah Water Resources Enactment 1998

8 Agencies in biodiversity conservation in Sabah Various governmental. Non-governmental organizations & private sector, some with international collaboration & cooperation BBEC Programme: JICA, UMS & Government agencies Purpose: to establish a comprehensive and sustainable conservation approaches of biodiversity and conservation

9 Role of Forestry Dept. in biodiversity conservation Strives to excel in the realization of sustainable forest resource management. Biodiversity conservation is given much emphasis in the Department s strategic thrust.

10 Strategies of the Forestry Department Based on ITTO Year 2000 objectives on SFM. Some very much related to biodiversity conservation: 1. Permanent Forest Estate (PFE): declare sufficient areas, identify State land 2. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM): Forestry planning must follow SFM approach, Deramakot as model, applied to all FMUs 3. Licensing: FMUs must abide to SFM such as RIL, enrichment planting, employ foresters with experience

11 Strategies of the Forestry Department 4. Forest production & revenue: promote production that reduces environmental damages, optimal use of forest resources 5. Enforcement & legislation: Ensure Forest Enactment & Rules are fully enforced in SFM 6. Protection: demarcate forest reserve boundaries, prevention of forest fire & control, curb illegal shifting cultivation

12 Strategies of the Forestry Department 7. Forest resource development: encourage forest rehabilitation in logged areas, plantation forestry in poor & degraded forest areas 8. Role of relevant government agencies: SFD fosters close cooperation with related agencies 9. Private sector participation: promote the participation of private sector, assist and guide when possible

13 Strategies of the Forestry Department 10. NGOs: involve and encourage participation of NGOs 11. International forestry cooperation: seeking technical advice, guidance and financial assistance from relevant international agencies 12. Community forestry: review programmes of community forestry projects to ensure that they are in line with traditional community forestry concepts

14 Strategies of the Forestry Department 13. Forestry research & development: review some existing programmes to ensure its relevance to biodiversity conservation 14. Ecotourism: ensure that ecotourism development in forest reserves is in line with the principles of sustainable forest use.

15 Forestry research in biodiversity conservation Research & development is an important component in supporting the implementation of biodiversity conservation in SFM Undertaken by the Forest Research Centre in Sepilok, headed by the Deputy Director of Research & Development

16 Main FRC Complex New Block (1989) Old Block (1974) Seed Lab. (1980) Herbarium (2000)

17 Research programmes ( ) Natural forest management * Plantation silviculture Utilisation of forest products * Tree breeding & seed source establishment Soil & watershed * Pests & diseases Plant diversity * Insect diversity * Tourism * Biotechnology * Phyochemistry * ( * : very much related to biodiversity conservation)

18 Sabah Biodiversity Centre Based at FRC, oversees the biodiversity activities and research in Sabah, with its current activities: 1. Development of a holistic and prudent biodiversity management strategy and its sustainable and optimum utilization in Sabah 2. Development of a database and information system of biological resources in Sabah 3. Promoting education and biodiversity knowledge in Sabah 4. Promoting the identification of new natural and biotechnological products in Sabah

19 Development & management of scientific reference collection facilities Herbarium: more than 10,000 plant species from more than 240,000 specimens Entomological museum collection: more than 10,000 identified species from 110,000 mounted specimens

20 Development & management of scientific reference collection facilities Wood library (xylarium): more than 1,074 species from 5,451 samples Arboretum: established in 1971, it is a living plant collection Ethnobotanical garden: newly established in 1999.

21 Environmental education Vital tool to bring about positive changes in the attitude and behaviour of the public towards the forests and biodiversity conservation. The programme was developed in 1996, targeting school students, teachers and the public. Raise the level of awareness in the target groups on the importance of the rain forest and its conservation.

22 Conclusion Biodiversity conservation and SFM go hand-inhand. It is the way forward. Forest and biodiversity are for the people, but the people must have responsibilities if the forest and its biodiversity are to continue to truly be a source of life. Protecting the forest means conserving its biodiversity, not only for our generation but for many more generations to come.

23 Thank You