Posted on November, 16 1999
The new 'Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary', situated in the lower Kinabatangan river floodplain, is a precious site for wildlife and a vital source of freshwater for over 200,000 people in eastern Sabah. It has been recognized by WWF as a 'Gift to the Earth', a special conservation commitment to preserve the planet's natural wealth.
WWF's Living Waters Campaign, launched in response to the growing crisis facing freshwater ecosystems worldwide, welcomed the sanctuary as the fifth freshwater 'Gift to the Earth'. The campaign stresses the need for more conservation actions worldwide. Preserving natural freshwater resources continues to be a global concern as more than 1.3 billion people are today already experiencing water shortages.
"Water is a finite resource," says Richard Holland, Campaign Director. "We must act urgently to conserve freshwater ecosystems if future generations are to inherit a planet fit to live on."
The Kinabatangan River nourishes some spectacular wetland forests, swamps and lakes. The new Sanctuary is a showcase of natural treasures. Not just elephants and the unique proboscis monkey live here, but also birds such as the fish-eating Oriental darter, rare freshwater sharks, freshwater rays and Irrawaddy dolphins.
Speaking at the opening of the 1999 WWF Annual Conference, the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Osu Sukam, announced that the Sabah State Government would make the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain a natural heritage for the local communities.
"Besides benefiting the wildlife - and also providing much of the water supply of eastern Sabah - the Kinabatangan area draws tourists from all over the world," he added.
As a haven for nature tourists Malaysia's state of Sabah has long been demonstrating the potential social-economic benefits of wetlands, if they are managed in a sustainable way. WWF hopes that responsible community-based ecotourism will help local people by offering a continuous source of income while preserving the environment.
View the Borneo Photo Gallery
For more information, contact:
Lisa Hadeed, tel: +41 22 364 9030, Lhadeed@wwfnet.org
Simone de Manso, tel: +41 22 364 9553, sdemanso@wwfnet.org
Notes to the editors:
- WWF's work in the Lower Kinabatangan is conducted under the Partners for Wetlands initiative. This international initiative promotes forest conservation, protection of water quality and biodiversity conservation. Activities in Malaysia include tree-planting, development of ecotourism models and elephant research. Zambia and the Ukraine are among other countries which participate in 'Partners for Wetlands' Projects.
- The Kinabatangan wetlands, where water accumulates at least part of the year, act as a transition bridge linking aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They help regulate water quality and quantity as well as maintain the system's ecological functions, creating a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna.