Tag - Environment

Kota Kinabalu: Yayasan Sabah inked two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) that will further propel Maliau Basin in the field of rainforest conservation research and training as well as promotion of volunteer programmes. Yayasan Sabah signed a MoU with the Nordic Rainforest Research Network (NRNN) on the promotion of research, training and education. For the implementation and promotion of volunteer programmes, Yayasan Sabah sealed the MoU with the Forests of the World organisation. In the conservation programme, Yayasan Sabah signed the MoA with IKEA that would see the INIKEA project proceeding for another 10 years under its Phase 4 in Maliau Basin. Witnessing the signing ceremony, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said Sabah is at a cross roads but the State Government has decided to take the bull by its horn by focussing on conservation of the forest. "I think we have made the right decision," he said. He concurred with State Forestry Director Datuk Sam Mannan that even though income from timber is at the lowest ever contributing only three per cent of the State's revenue compared to 80 per cent about 10 years ago it indirectly caused income from others such as tourism to increase. "Our income from timber used to be RM1 billion annually but it was cut down due to the conservation programme undertaken by the State Government. "Last year the tourism sector on the other hand raked RM6 billion revenue for the State. So even though we lost RM1 billion we gained RM6 billion indirectly," he said. Masidi thanked the partners from Scandinavian countries for giving a helping hand to promote greater awareness in conservation of the forest. "You may come from different countries but to me we all share a common goal that is for humanity. This is a legacy that I think we should leave for our future generation," he said. Yayasan Sabah Director, Datuk Sapawi Ahmad in his speech delivered by Mannan said the MoU with Nordic would see the establishment of the much awaited Maliau Basin Rainforest Research and Training Programme proposed by the Maliau Basin Management Committee (MBMC) of which Yayasan Sabah is a principal member. He extended his appreciation to the Nordic countries for its contribution since the beginning to the development of Maliau Basin's first Management Plan and to establish the Maliau Basin Studies Centre and related infrastructure and facilities. Among them were the Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development (DANCED), and later Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), NEPcon and IKEA. The revision of the Maliau Basin's strategic Management Plan was made possible by NEPcon who successfully acquired funding from Aage V Jansen of Denmark. The MoU with the NRNN, Sapawi said would see Maliau Basin being used in the programme as the focal field research and training centre as well as promote interests among Nordic research community to carry out research. Members of NRRN include notable universities from Nordic countries such as Copenhagen University of Denmark, University of Oslo, Norway, Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SUAS), Umea University, Sweden, Copenhagen Zoo, and Finland University, Finland. "I have no doubt that this programme will be as successful as the Danum Valley Rainforest Research, Education and Training Programme, a Programme implemented in partnership between the Danum Valley Management Committee of which Yayasan Sabah is a member and the Royal Society, United Kingdom. Signing on behalf of Yayasan Sabah was Mannan, Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary cum chairman of MBMC, Ginun Yangus, while NRRN was represented by Prof Dr Jon Fjeldsa, Forests of the World by its Vice President, Anders Morten Christoffersen and Sow-A-Seed Foundation by its Chairman, Anders Hildeman. Source: Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: The Tagal system of preserving the rivers and protecting fish stocks for the benefit of the villages has caught the attention of a China television network. The five-member crew from Nanning Television were here to film this unique traditional practice at Kg Kitapol in Kiulu on Monday. The crew, who are here to make a documentary on cross-culture between Sabah and China, were brought to the village by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili to see how the Tagal system works. When the Tagal system is implemented, fishing is banned for a determined period. To demonstrate to the group, the ban was temporarily lifted and locals caught fishes such as Pelian. Nanning Television Executive Vice-General Zheng Min Yong, who led the crew, said they were really impressed with the Tagal system of preserving the environment and eco-system which is participated by the entire village. "Such a system of preserving the river used to exist in some rural parts of China but no longer practised. Fishing is very commercialised in China nowadays, and it is refreshing to know such system still exists here. "The people in Nanning regard their city as being the greenest in China and they appreciate such green initiatives. I think we can relearn this method from Sabah and we have much to share with each other," said ZhengMin who also enjoyed a dip in the cold, fresh river water with his group. The station plans to feature the Tagal system in a documentary as well as in a special news report. Also there was Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board Chairman. He said the initiative by the Nanning Television crew to highlight the Tagal system would go a long way to make Kiulu's natural beauty known among the Chinese. "Sabah Tourism Board has chosen Kiulu as a model for rural tourism development, taking into account the numerous attractions there, including what Kg Kitapol has to offer. "The board has formed a Rural Tourism Development Committee to, among others, identify and list down all potential tourist attractions in all the districts and draw up a plan to promote and market them. All district tourism action committees have been reactivated as part of a concerted effort to fully tap the potential of rural tourism," he said. Meanwhile, the crew had also filmed the Kaamatan Festival during the two-day celebrations over the weekend at Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang, for a documentary to show the similarities between the culture of the Kadazandusun people and a minority tribe in southern China. "We are amazed by the similarities between the culture of the Kadazandusun people and a minority tribe in southern China especially in terms of food, traditional costumes, songs and dances. We enjoyed the festival which was very colourful with a lot of merriment and observation of old customs and tradition. "Our four days in Sabah were enjoyable and eye-opening. We learn new things, enjoy cultural exchange and forged new friendships. We hope to strengthen relationship between both our countries through more joint productions and cultural exchanges. "We wish a Happy Harvest Festival to all Sabahans and may the unity among the people of various cultures and races which is so evident in Sabah, remain a permanent feature for its people," ZhengMin added. The group, who arrived in Kota Kinabalu on May 30, flew back Tuesday. Source: Daily Express