Sabah's Pin Supu forest reserve receives international recognition
The Pin Supu forest reserve is located in the middle-reaches of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain and is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. (sabah.gov.my pic)
PETALING JAYA : Sabah's Pin Supu forest reserve (PSFR) has become Malaysia's first terrestrial protected area to be placed on the IUCN Green List, a global standard for well-managed protected areas.
The forest reserve located in the middle-reaches of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain spans 4,696ha and is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna.
It features diverse lowland forest types, oxbow lakes, and a complex system of limestone caves, which play a vital role in maintaining connectivity within the broader Lower Kinabatangan floodplain ecosystem, reported Bernama.
World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) manager for protected areas Elyrice Alim said the PSFR is a model for inclusive and effective conservation, with the local community actively involved from the start – including in developing its first management plan.
The forest reserve is co-managed by the Sabah forestry department and KOPEL, a local community cooperative that promotes sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism and conservation.
'This is a pioneering example of how local governments can work hand-in-hand with communities to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes,' she said.
She pointed out that the IUCN Green List comprises well-managed protected areas grounded in strong relationships with local communities, rights-holders and civil society.
Meanwhile, WWF-Malaysia CEO Sophia Lim said the PSFR's inclusion in the IUCN Green List is a testament to its commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting economic growth and social inclusion.
She said the partnership between the Sabah forestry department and KOPEL represented over two decades of dedicated, community-driven conservation, adding that she hoped to see more protected as well as conserved areas across Malaysia achieve this global standard.
Lim said that as the national implementing partner for the IUCN Green List programme, WWF-Malaysia supports nationwide promotion, coordination and technical facilitation of the Green List process – including helping current and future efforts of protected areas to work towards this recognition.
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