Sabah’s young owe it to CM for green legacy

Papar: Sabah’s future generation is assured of inheriting a high quality biodiversity and vast areas of Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) following the recent amendment to the Forests (Constitution of Forest Reserves and Amendment) Enactment 1984 by the State Legislative Assembly.

Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers’ Club Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Ismail said they are very fortunate as the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman wants to ensure more TPAs in Sabah are left for the young people.

He said the Assembly had approved the amendment to the enactment on Nov 24 to achieve the State’s target of increasing the TPAs by 30 per cent in 2025.

“This move showed that Sabah is very serious in protecting our environment and biodiversity conservation which is vital for the development of the State,” he said to Daily Express when met here, recently.

Rahim who is also Pantai Manis assemblyman said the amendment also complied with the provision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in terms of promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

He said the growing number of First Class forest reserves by way of reclassifying identified forest reserves in Sabah reflected the State government’s commitment towards ensuring Sabah has a balanced development.

“I have no doubt that the State government will achieve the expansion of TPAs in Sabah to 30 per cent in 10 years’ time.

“The amendment move is very meaningful as this will also maintain water resources when three new water catchment areas are gazetted as First Class forest reserve for protection purposes in Tambunan and Tenom so as to meet the villagers’ demand and needs,” he said.

In addition, Rahim said the move will also maintain the role of the forest reserves as wildlife corridors and habitats which is important to the present and future generations.

Source: Daily Express