Group photo of SFD and ISME officials after the 20th PSC Meeting in Lok Kawi, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: The Collaboration on Mangrove Rehabilitation in Sabah between the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME) continues with the 20th Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting here today – (23rd February 2024).
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, chaired the meeting while the delegation from ISME was headed by its Executive Director, Prof Shigeyuki Baba, based in Okinawa, Japan.
According to a statement, such meeting is held twice a year to monitor and update on the progress of the project.
SFD has been proactive in managing the mangrove forests in accordance with the principles of conservation and sustainable
use. ISME is a non-profit and non-governmental scientific society, world renowned for mangrove rehabilitation and promotes research and training on mangrove ecosystems.
SFD has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISME in November, 2010 for
Mangrove Rehabilitation Phase I (2011-2014) and then continued into Phase II (2014-2019).
By the end of 2023, more than 490 hectares of degraded mangroves were rehabilitated, headed by Dr
Joseph Tangah and his mangrove team of SFD, with advise from ISME.
This project is now the end of Phase III (2019-2024) with funding from Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd., and the project will continue into Phase IV soon.
Thus far, the project has benefitted both parties mutually
from the experiences and lessons learnt on mangrove rehabilitation, including both international
and national recognition and publicity, better mangrove management and conservation,
identification of suitable planting techniques, close cooperation between ISME and SFD.
