130 experts to converge for Danum Valley study
Kota Kinabalu: A total of 130 fauna and flora researchers comprising personnel from several government departments and agencies, educational institutions and NGOs will converge in Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) for the two-week Danum Valley Wildlife and Resources Survey beginning Aug 15.
The survey, organised by Yayasan Sabah Group, is spearheaded by the Sabah Wildlife Department and funded through the Danum Valley Management Committee (DVMC) which is responsible in overseeing the activities at DVCA.
Among the institutions involved are the Sabah Forestry Department, University College Sabah Foundation, Sabah Parks, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Sabah Biodiversity Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Malaysia), Hutan KOCP, WWF-Malaysia, Sabah Environmental Trust, Johor National Parks, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Rainforest Research Sdn Bhd and Institute for Development Studies (Sabah).
According to Yayasan Sabah Director Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, information obtained from the survey will provide input for the mid-term review of the Danum Valley Strategic Management Plan 2010-2020.
“The plan shall, among other things, evaluate the success of implementation of planned programmes and activities besides addressing any potential gaps and to consider the future direction of management of DVCA,” he said.
“Among other things, the survey aims to acquire latest information on the wildlife diversity such as mammals, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, flora and richness in DVCA; determine the presence of rare, threatened and endangered species; assess potential threats such as poaching, fire and encroachment; and prospects for ecotourism development.
“The survey covers 11 locations within the perimeter of DVCA, each covering at least 3.5km radius.
Each location will comprise nine participants or more,” he said.
Covering 43,800 hectares, DVCA is one of Sabah’s last strongholds of undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest.
“With the richness and abundance of its flora and fauna, DVCA is an ideal natural ‘laboratory’ for researchers in tropical forest ecology.
“Among the inhabitants of DVCA are more than 125 species of mammals including 10 species of primates and the critically endangered Bornean Orang Utan,” said Sapawi.
“Other large mammals include the Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Banteng, Malayan Sun Bear, Clouded Leopard, Bay cat, Binturong and many species of deer. It is also home to the critically endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros.
“Over 300 species of birds have been recorded including the Red-Crowned Barbet, seven species of Pitta, and all eight species of Hornbills found in Borneo,” he added.
According to him, the Southeast Asia Rainforest Research and Training Programme (SEARRP), between The Royal Society, United Kingdom and DVMC had generated over 340 studies by local and foreign students, and generated over 400 publications.
“This makes Danum Valley one of the leading rainforest research centre in the tropics,” he said.
Source: Daily Express
