KOTA KINABALU: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sabah state government and Sabah-based TSH Resources Berhad (TSH) here yesterday, whereby TSH is surrendering 30,000 hectares to preserve the natural habitat of the Meliau Range forest for the benefit of future generations.
Together with TSH, the Forestry Department of Sabah will contribute its expertise in a concerted effort to manage and enhance Sabah’s natural resources.
“TSH is proud to work closely with the Forestry Department of Sabah to protect the natural environment, biodiversity and help the proliferation of wildlife in Meliau Range.
“We congratulate Datuk Sam Mannan, director of the Forestry Department, who has always maintained high standards in managing forests and regulating forestry activities in Sabah,” said Datuk Kelvin Tan, chairman of TSH after the signing of the MoU in Kota Kinabalu, in conjunction with the Heart of Borneo Conference.
Kelvin said the MoU reaffirmed the commitment of TSH to play its role to promote sustainable development and to safeguard flora and fauna of the environment.
This area of 30,000 hectares is to be designated as Class 1 Forest Reserve, the highest category for environmental protection and biodiversity preservation.
The area is to be protected by laws against illegal exploitations.
Plant diversity is very high in the Meliau Range with 60 known species that are endemic to Sabah, Borneo or are classified as rare.
They include pitcher plants (Nepenthes) and specific orchids. Rare freshwater fish, such as Nandus nandus and Pelian, can also be found. A unique existence of ‘glowing forest’ presumed to be luminous fungi covering the forest floor, has been discovered at the Meliau Range.