Pin Supu Forest Reserve in Sabah earns IUCN Green List award
Tungog Lake, located in Batu Puteh within the Pin Supu Forest Reserve, is a vital freshwater ecosystem surrounded by lowland rainforest, playing a key role in local biodiversity and community-based ecotourism. - Photo credit Mazidi Abd Ghani, WWF-Malaysia
KOTA KINABALU: The recent IUCN Green List award for the Pin Supu Forest Reserve (PSFR) in Kinabatangan, Sabah, showcases how local governments can achieve significant milestones by collaborating with communities in conservation efforts.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia announced that this International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List status, awarded in May to the country's first terrestrial protected area, serves as a model for inclusive and practical conservation.
WWF-Malaysia's Elyrice Alim, site mentor for PSFR's Green List journey, emphasized that the IUCN Green List is more than just a label—it reflects a well-managed protected area grounded in strong relationships with local communities, rights-holders, and civil society.
"What makes Pin Supu Forest Reserve truly special is the community's active involvement from the beginning, including in co-developing the first management plan," she said.
WWF-Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Sophia Lim echoed this sentiment, stating that the IUCN Green List is a testament to the commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting economic growth and social inclusion.
She highlighted the partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department and KOPEL as inspiring, representing over two decades of dedicated, community-driven conservation. KOPEL is a local community cooperative that promotes sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism and conservation.
"We hope to see more protected and conserved areas across Malaysia achieve this global standard," Lim said, adding that this milestone highlights the success of local collaboration and places this forest reserve alongside some of the world's best-managed Protected Areas.
Building on this momentum, Tun Mustapha Park (TMP)—one of Sabah's iconic marine protected areas, managed by Sabah Parks—is now preparing for its IUCN Green List evaluation.
This process involves assessing how well the park is managed and protected to meet international standards, reflecting Sabah's ongoing, collective commitment to conservation excellence.
Lim remarked that the recognition of Pin Supu Forest Reserve on the IUCN Green List marks a landmark moment for conservation in Sabah and Malaysia, made possible through the dedication of multiple partners.
As the implementing partner of the IUCN Green List programme in Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia supports nationwide promotion, coordination, and technical facilitation of the Green List process, aiding current and future efforts by protected areas working towards this recognition.
Prior to this, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) also received its accreditation in May 2022.
PSFR's inclusion on the list demonstrates its exemplary commitment to biodiversity conservation, effective management, and inclusive, community-based approaches.
Located in the middle of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah's Kinabatangan District, Pin Supu Forest Reserve spans 4,696 hectares, featuring diverse lowland forest types, oxbow lakes, and a complex limestone karst system of caves. It plays a vital role in maintaining connectivity within the broader Lower Kinabatangan floodplain ecosystem.
It is currently the only forest area in Sabah managed in partnership with a local community, where meaningful participation is recognised as a key priority.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘This is our country': Chinese veterans urge community's youth to serve in Malaysian Armed Forces, lament low military participation
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 – The Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (Macva) has today urged more Chinese youths to consider joining the Armed Forces, supporting a recent call by the Chief of Defence Forces for greater non-Bumiputera participation in national defence. Macva voiced concern over the low number of the community's representation, noting that only eight out of 509 newly commissioned officer cadets are of Chinese descent. 'A military career is no easy path, but it builds character, instils discipline, develops leadership, and most importantly, provides young people with a chance to directly participate in nation-building and take on the noble responsibility of protecting the people,' said its president, Lieutenant-Colonel (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit. He said Chinese Malaysians have historically played a role in defending the country, and the current generation should continue this legacy of service and sacrifice. 'Joining the military does not mean giving up on one's dreams. It means choosing a different path — one filled with broader horizons and greater challenges,' he added. He pointed out that military personnel serve in diverse roles — from operations in the jungles of Sabah to patrolling the Malacca Strait, and on international peacekeeping missions — while being part of a united Malaysian society. Macva called on Chinese families and community organisations to support and encourage their youths to explore military careers. The association stressed that the presence of the Chinese community in the armed forces is vital for national unity and shared responsibility in defence. 'This is our country, our land — and national defence should never be without the presence and contribution of the Chinese community,' said Wong. Macva reaffirmed its commitment to promoting military service as a meaningful and honourable career path for young Malaysians. Last week, the Malaysian Armed Forces achieved a historic milestone with the promotion of Major General Johnny Lim to the rank of lieutenant-general, making him the first ethnic Chinese officer to attain the three-star rank. He began his military journey under the 25th Regular Commissioning Course and later trained at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom before being commissioned into the Ranger Regiment.
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Over 600 dogs, no space, no vets: Sandakan SPCA's crisis amid stray dog crackdown
SANDAKAN, June 29 — The Sandakan Municipal Council has ramped up efforts to tackle the town's stray dog population, capturing more than 600 dogs in recent operations. However, the sudden success has created a new crisis. The influx has overwhelmed the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Sandakan shelter, which is now operating far beyond its capacity and urgently calling for help. Many of the captured dogs require immediate health checks, quarantine and medical treatment, but the shelter lacks adequate facilities, medicine and volunteer veterinarians. Without proper care, there is an increased risk of disease outbreaks, which could force the authorities to resort to mass culling. Overcrowding has made the situation worse. Shelter operators say they need to quickly build more kennels to separate the animals and prevent the spread of contagious diseases, which pose risks to both the dogs and volunteers. In the short term, the SPCA Sandakan is appealing for donations of food, medicine and building materials. Volunteers are also needed to help with feeding, cleaning and daily maintenance. Animal welfare groups stress that this crisis shows the need for a more sustainable approach. A proven method, used successfully in countries like Turkiye, involves catching, neutering and ear-tagging stray dogs to keep the population under control. Cooperation between the Sabah State Veterinary Services Department and local animal welfare organisations is key to ensuring that stray management is both effective and humane. Community involvement in tracking and reporting strays could also help gather data to improve future measures. Animal advocate Remy Majangkim urged the community to remember that stray animals rely entirely on human compassion. 'The creators do not make mistakes in their creations; rather, it is we who often ignore their existence and plight,' Remy said recently. He added that every contribution counts — whether it is through donations, volunteering, or simply raising awareness. 'Together, we can create a safer, healthier future for Sandakan's stray dogs,' he said. For donations or volunteer opportunities, the public can contact SPCA Sandakan directly. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Religious affairs minister censures surau for ejecting worshipper, says mosques are not ‘exclusive spaces'
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 – Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar has expressed disappointment over a viral incident involving a male worshipper who was removed from a surau in Teluk Panglima Garang in Selangor after performing Subuh prayers. He added that the removal of a worshipper who was not causing disruption went against the values of mercy and respect fundamental to Islam. 'Suraus and mosques are sanctuaries for the soul... not exclusive spaces to be controlled without wisdom and compassion,' Mohd Na'im said. He also called for mosque and surau administrators to adopt a more compassionate and respectful approach, particularly when dealing with elderly congregants. 'Administrative actions must be carried out with decorum and respectful communication – not in a manner that humiliates others,' he said. The individual, believed to be the father of popular preacher PU Azhar Hilmi, was reportedly engaged in acts of worship such as i'tikaf and waiting for Dhuha prayers alone when he was asked to leave by a female staff of the surau. Mohd Na'im also stressed that preserving the sanctity of mosques went beyond maintaining their physical structure, and included fostering moral conduct and a spiritually uplifting environment. He then urged all parties to resolve the issue in a spirit of mutual forgiveness to ensure suraus remain welcoming and dignified spaces for all worshippers. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) also weighed in, saying the incident must be taken seriously as it concerns proper decorum and governance at religious premises. 'Mosques and suraus are institutions of rahmah that shape the character and unity of the ummah,' said Jakim director-general Datuk Sirajuddin Suhaimee, using the Arabic word that means 'compassion' or 'blessings'. He said Jakim continues to promote the values of Masjid Rahmah by engaging mosque administrators and the public in efforts to uphold Islamic ethics and ensure places of worship remain peaceful and inclusive. 'A key focus is on upholding Islamic ethics in treating worshippers and visitors with kindness, particularly within the sacred spaces of Allah that should foster serenity, peace, and reflection,' he added.
