KUCHING: A project agreement has been signed to initiate two projects aimed at improving the management of the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) to enhance biodiversity conservation and local socioeconomic development.
The agreement was signed by International Timber Trade Organisation (ITTO) executive director Sheam Satkuru and Sarawak Forestry Department director Datuk Hamden Mohammad yesterday here.
“ITTO has been supporting sustainable forest management in Sarawak for several decades. We are proud to work with the Forest Department and the many communities in the area to enhance their collective approaches towards, among several matters, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities,” said Satkuru.
Similarly, Hamden said the UBFA proposal arose from the communities themselves, and the ITTO funding has been firm in getting it off the ground.
“The implementation of the UBFA project will complement the adjacent Pulong Tau National Park in conserving biodiversity and support the sustainable livelihoods of people in these communities,” he said.
Satkuru added that one of the projects has a total costs of USD1.39 million, of which ITTO –
with support from the government of Japan, the City of Basel, Switzerland, and Bruno Manser Funds – is providing US$556,000 and the Malaysian government will contribute the remainder which would focus on research.
She said the second project, which complements the first, is worth US$479,500.
“ITTO is contributing US$258,000 from the Emergency Supplementary Budget provided by the government of Japan and the remaining funds will be provided by the Sarawak government in kind,” she added.
Satkuru said the project aims to empower and train local people in community forest management, landscape restoration and community-based ecotourism.
“In addition, it will provide infrastructure support as part of its efforts to improve livelihoods and forest management.
“This is a very exciting development for Sarawak, the participating communities and ITTO as it introduces a new approach towards SFM and community forestry with the support of NGOs,” she added.
The UBFA covers 283,500 hectares in northeastern Sarawak, encompassing primary forests, farm areas, settlements, timber concessions and agricultural lands.
