/ ©: Diana Anthony / WWF-Malaysia

Heart of Borneo Forests

A treasure trove worth saving

The tropical rainforests of Borneo are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth.

By creating a network of protected areas and leveraging the support of businesses, WWF's aim is that the island’s natural treasures are sustainably used, well into the future.

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There is only one place remaining in Southeast Asia where tropical rainforests can still be conserved on a grand scale.

This is the dense forest that stradddles the borders of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia on the island of Borneo.

Here one finds such endangered species as the: ...as well as thousands of other animal and plant species. There are also many species yet to be discovered.

This natural treasure trove, however, is threatened by a number of threats: logging, plantation agriculture, mining and hunting.

The forests and its biodiversity are at risk of disappearing if it doesn't get the protection it deserves.
Branching Out for a Green Economy by Sir David Attenborough

National Geographic interview with Adam Tomasek, WWF Heart of Borneo initiative leader
 
© National Geographic

3 countries, 1 conservation vision

Like many tropical areas around the world, the Borneo forests are being cleared rapidly for commercial uses, including rubber, palm oil and wood production. The threats posed by logging and land clearing for agriculture are worsened by a growing illegal wildlife trade.

WWF is working with the 3 Borneo nations to conserve 220,000 km2 of rainforest - almost 1/3 of the island - through a network of protected areas and sustainably-managed forests.

It's not too late. Borneo can avoid the deforestation that has devastated the neighbouring island of Sumatra over the last 20 years. 

More than 3 species discovered every month during the past 15 years

Between 1995 and 2010 more than 500 species have been discovered.

Download
Borneo’s New World: Newly Discovered Species in the Heart of Borneo 2.25 MB pdf

News from the Heart of Borneo

Read more news from the Heart of Borneo »

WWF 2020 Goals

    • Goal 1: By 2020, a 22 million hectare (220,000 km2 ) mosaic of protected areas, trans-boundary reserves, and sustainably managed corridors and buffer zones is established to ensure the future of all HoB priority species and endemism hotspots.
    • Goal 2: By 2020, there is a zero rate of conversion of high conservation value natural forests to other land uses in the Heart of Borneo.
    • Goal 3: By 2020, long-term financing mechanisms provide diversified and equitable benefits for local communities and governments and enhance ecosystem goods and services.

Facts & Figures

    • From 1994-2007, more than 400 new species have been discovered in the Borneo rainforest.
    • Since 2007 124 new species have been discovered. The world’s longest insect, a frog with no lungs, a flame coloured snake, a ‘ninja’ slug firing love darts at its mate and a new bird species are just some of the amazing discoveries documented.
    • The tall-growing dipterocarp tropical hardwood tree holds the greatest insect diversity on Borneo; as many as 1,000 species have been found in just 1 tree.

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Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.