SANDAKAN: The Sabah Forestry Department officially handed over the Proceedings of the Bengkel Ekspedisi Saintifik Sg. Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA) Siri 2 to Sawit Kinabalu Group in a brief ceremony held at the Sabah Forestry Department Headquarters.
The handover was officiated by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, who presented the publication to Sawit Kinabalu Group’s General Manager for the Sandakan Region, En. Muazamsyah Hj Idris.
Also present were the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Research and Development), Dr Arthur Chung, and representatives from the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit, En. Charis Saliun, Pn. Rashidah Rehman, and En. Herman Matanggal.
The proceedings featured a compilation of key research findings on forest cover changes, soil productivity, forest ecosystems, and biodiversity, including mammals, birds, anurans, fish, and insects, alongside assessments of community and stakeholder perceptions.
The proceedings also highlighted the updated conservation status of the Sungai Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA), underscoring its ecological value in forest ecosystems, biodiversity, soil productivity, and ecosystem services.
Despite natural and human pressures, SPnCA remains resilient, with active forest regeneration, ongoing carbon sequestration, and thriving wildlife, including large mammals, insects, birds, anurans, and freshwater fish, providing an integrated understanding of the area’s ecological condition and management needs.
The publication outlines key threats, including land-use pressures, invasive species, and natural disturbances, and presents a set of mitigation strategies.
These strategies were strengthened through stakeholder discussions, ensuring that community knowledge, local experts, and scientific findings were integrated into practical and inclusive conservation actions. This collaborative framework supports long-term ecological integrity and sustainable management of the SPnCA landscape.
The handover marks the continuation of the partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department and Sawit Kinabalu Group, reinforcing their shared commitment to applying scientific evidence for landscape conservation, biodiversity protection, and responsible resource management.
