SANDAKAN: Come Thursday, the International Day of Forests (IDF) will be observed, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly. This day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of forests.
The theme for IDF 2024 is “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World”. Forests are the vital green lungs of our planet, housing a diverse range of flora and fauna in perfect harmony.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance for us to safeguard and preserve these forests, not only for our own benefit but also for the well-being of future generations.
As emphasized by the UN FAO, innovation can play a crucial role in restoring, protecting, managing, and sustainably utilizing forests. Technological, social, policy, institutional, and financial innovations are key to ensuring the sustainable provision and utilization of ecosystem services offered by forests.
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, highlights that the Sabah Forestry Department is committed to excelling in Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), and innovation can significantly contribute to creating a better way of life for both humans and forests.
Forests are not only an invaluable natural asset to the state, contributing significantly to socio-economic development, but they also play an essential role in maintaining environmental quality, biodiversity, and providing recreational opportunities.
Therefore, it is crucial to adopt innovative approaches for the sustainable utilization of natural resources from forests and the conservation of biodiversity, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) stands as one of the earlier innovative features in SFM.
Today, advanced technologies such as drones, satellite imaging, and mapping can be utilized to monitor forests, identify areas for restoration, combat deforestation, and address illegal logging.
Some of the latest applications in forestry operations include IForSabah and GeoForest, while in forestry research, we have the Conservation Area Information and Monitoring System (CAIMS) and the Sabah Ecosystem Hub.
In addition to technological advancements, innovative strategies are being implemented to integrate forestry practices into various sectors.
