MARKET DEVELOPMENT
FGV, Sabah Forestry Dept Ink Mou On Possible Collaboration In Forest Conservation
FGV, Sabah Forestry Dept Ink Mou On Possible Collaboration In Forest Conservation
09/11/2016 (Bernama) - Felda Global Venture Holdings Bhd (FGV) is planning to undertake a two-year forest conservation programme in collaboration with the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), says Group President/Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zakaria Arshad.
He said for the purpose, FGV today inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SFD, to explore the possibility of collaboration in rehabilitating riparian and forest buffer zones that lie between the state's forest reserve and an FGV estate in Sahabat, Lahad Datu.
"The collaboration aims to contribute towards sustainable plantation management, support the implementation of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil principles and criteria, and improve the conservation of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape.
"This is a huge step (that we have) taken to ensure the survival of the wildlife near our operation areas," he told reporters after the launching of the 'International Conference on the Heart of Borneo' here.
The MoU was signed during the opening ceremony between FGV Head of Plantation Zone 2 Alberto Domingo and State Forestry Chief Conservator Datuk Sam Mannan, with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman witnessing the event.
Zakaria said FGV was committed to providing sustainable alternative livelihoods for the local communities, particularly along the river of Tabin and Kuala Meruap Mangrove Forest Reserve, as well as assisting SFD in combatting any form of illegal hunting in the area.
He noted that in October 2014, FGV had launched a demarcation exercise to re-establish riparian reserves in its Sabah estates, creating a minimum distance of 50 metres between its plantations and the river bank.
This culminated in a tree planting programme to secure the mega biodiversity of Lower Kinabatangan, he added.
He said for the purpose, FGV today inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SFD, to explore the possibility of collaboration in rehabilitating riparian and forest buffer zones that lie between the state's forest reserve and an FGV estate in Sahabat, Lahad Datu.
"The collaboration aims to contribute towards sustainable plantation management, support the implementation of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil principles and criteria, and improve the conservation of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape.
"This is a huge step (that we have) taken to ensure the survival of the wildlife near our operation areas," he told reporters after the launching of the 'International Conference on the Heart of Borneo' here.
The MoU was signed during the opening ceremony between FGV Head of Plantation Zone 2 Alberto Domingo and State Forestry Chief Conservator Datuk Sam Mannan, with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman witnessing the event.
Zakaria said FGV was committed to providing sustainable alternative livelihoods for the local communities, particularly along the river of Tabin and Kuala Meruap Mangrove Forest Reserve, as well as assisting SFD in combatting any form of illegal hunting in the area.
He noted that in October 2014, FGV had launched a demarcation exercise to re-establish riparian reserves in its Sabah estates, creating a minimum distance of 50 metres between its plantations and the river bank.
This culminated in a tree planting programme to secure the mega biodiversity of Lower Kinabatangan, he added.