KOTA KINABALU: Forest restoration in oil palm estates and riparian reserves at Sandakan Bay will get a boost with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) receiving over RM2mil in funding from Sime Darby Foundation on Friday (Jan 21).
UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin mentioned the areas that can profit from this funding embody the Ladang Sentosa, Tun Tan Siew Sin and Tigowis estates, and in addition areas put aside for conservation in Sandakan Bay.
He mentioned the college’s restoration and conservation project, which might additionally see enhanced carbon absorption and a rise of ecosystem companies, shall be totally funded by the Sime Darby Foundation over a three-year interval starting November final yr.
He mentioned under these initiatives, property staff will even profit from improved water high quality via restored water catchment.
The funding will even assist native researchers develop their expertise and contribute their information to the state, Dr Taufiq mentioned in his speech on the launching of the project.
His speech was delivered by deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Ramzah Dambul.
“This project which was utilized by the Forestry and Tropical Faculty offers alternatives to college students, graduate in addition to publish graduate, to study extra about this subject,” he mentioned.
“It would additionally assist present higher ecosystem companies to the downstream communities, strengthen riparian reserves, improve carbon shares and biodiversity,” Dr Taufiq mentioned.
In thanking the muse for its assist, he mentioned the college hoped to create pointers for the long-term monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem companies.
He added that this effort was in line with the state authorities’s Sabah Maju Jaya initiative which, amongst others, focuses on environmental sustainability.
Meanwhile, Sime Darby Plantation CEO for upstream farming (Perladanan Huluan) Roslin Azmy Hassan mentioned the collaboration between UMS and Sime Darby Plantations would contribute immensely to forest restoration.
She mentioned the collaboration with UMS was the very best platform for Sime Darby to hold out its dedication to preserve and restore forests and pure landscapes on a bigger scale.
She added that the collaboration would assist each events discover the very best and most cost-effective strategies to plant timber in estates and riparian reserves to extend biodiversity.
UMS and Sime Darby had earlier labored collectively to revive a 267ha portion of the Ladang Sapong forest within the Tenom district.
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