November 07, 2008 14:40 PM

Ramsar Site In Kinabatangan-Segama Another Milestone In Biodiversity Conservation In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The designation of the lower Kinabatangan-Segama as a Ramsar site is another milestone in the biodiversity and ecosystem conservation initiative in Sabah, State Secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman said today.

He said the designated area comprised three contiguous protected forests -- the Trusan Kinabatangan forest reserve, Kulamba wildlife reserve and Kuala Maruap and Kuala Segama forest reserve -- with total area of 78,803ha.

"This area is not only the biggest Ramsar site in Malaysia but is even larger than the total combined area of the five previously designated sites in the country, three in Johor and one each in Sarawak and Pahang," he said at the certificate presentation ceremony for the first Ramsar site in Sabah here. His speech was delivered by Deputy State Secretary Datuk Gregory Joitol.

Sabah Biodiversity Centre Director Abdul Fatah Amir handed over the official certificate to Datuk Sam Mannan, Director of the Sabah Forestry Department.

The official certificate was awarded at the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar COP10) in Changwon, Korea, on Oct 28.

The convention on Wetlands is an inter-governmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.

Sukarti said the lower Kinabatangan-Segama wetlands area was very rich in biodiversity and had very unique ecosystems.

"The site is a very good representation of coastal mangrove forest and rare peat swamp forest and rich in fauna such as sumatran rhinoceros, proboscis monkey, tembaedau, Borneo pygmy elephant and storm's stock.

"It is also recognised as an ecologically important spawning and nursery ground for fish and prawn. This designation is also a recognition of the importance of wetland ecosystems in conservation of fauna and flora," he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Sam said the certification was a world recognition for Sabah in the conservation of wetlands.

-- BERNAMA

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