Yayasan Sime Darby’s RM25 million reforestation of Orang Utan habitat in Northern Ulu Segama bears fruit

Lahad Datu, 6 December 2016 – An Orang Utan is nestled in a bed of evergreen leaves up on a “ketapang” tree in the Northern Ulu Segama Forest Reserve. 

A few metres away, up on another tree, a recent Orang Utan nest is clearly visible.

Ten years ago, this scenario would have been a rare occurrence, but now, thanks to an initiative to rehabilitate the heavily degraded forest, frequent sightings of Orang Utan have been reported.

The rehabilitation project in the Bukit Piton Forest Reserve, which has a total area of 11,612ha, is part of the Sabah state government’s Ulu Segama-Malua Sustainable Forest Management project established on 15 March 2006 covering a total area of 241,098ha.

The Northern Ulu Segama Orang Utan habitat reforestation initiative began in 2008 through a collaborative partnership between Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd (SDP) and the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD).

In 2010, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) was roped in to facilitate and accelerate the achievement of the project’s target. YSD committed RM25 million over 10 years to reforest about 5,400ha of the forest reserve areas which will be completed by next year.

The SFD, with the assistance of YSD and SDP, will continue to monitor the project until end of 2018 to ensure that the planted trees are in optimum condition for growth in order to create a vital, healthy habitat for the Orang Utan.  

A habitat once ravaged by forest fires and acute timber harvesting practices, the northern Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, also known as the Bukit Piton Forest Reserve, is now slowly experiencing the presence of Orang Utan population in the area. 

YSD Chairman Tun Musa Hitam said the Ulu Segama forests are an integral area in conservation efforts as it is home to arguably the largest population of Orang Utans in Sabah – some 3,500 to 4,000 individuals, or 30% of Sabah’s estimated Orang Utan population.

Encouraged by YSD’s success in rehabilitating the Bukit Piton Forest Reserve, Tun Musa urged other corporations to do their bit for the environment especially reforestation of degraded forest areas.

“I would like to call upon other corporations to come forward and emulate what YSD has done in Bukit Piton.

“Since 2009, the foundation has committed more than RM83 million for environmental conservation projects in Sabah alone, including RM25 million for this project. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to SDP and SFD, who have rendered their experience and expertise to ensure the success of this project.

“This is my first visit to the Bukit Piton Forest Reserve and I am pleased to see that the project has borne fruit, and we have achieved what we had set out to do, that is to provide trees including fruiting trees for the Orang Utan population and other species to thrive in this forest.

“YSD’s effort to support the rehabilitation of this important habitat for Orang Utan individuals underlines the Foundation’s commitment to protect and conserve valuable habitats of critically endangered species by the rehabilitation and preservation of forest reserves and other pivotal yet fragile ecosystems,” he said. 

YSD’s support for the reforestation project in Ulu Segama had assisted the SFD to successfully advocate for the reclassification of the Northern Ulu Segama Forest Reserve to a Class 1 Protection Forest Reserve or Totally Protected Area status in 2012, from its original status as Class 2 Commercial Forest Reserve. 

Under the law, the reclassification protects the area from potential encroachment or development activities, as it is not allowed to be used or converted for other land use purposes.

The project has also supported the communities living along Sungai Segama who have been engaged and provided job opportunities related to reforestation works.

SFD director Datuk Sam Mannan commended YSD for its efforts to rehabilitate degraded areas in the Bukit Piton Forest Reserve.

“This project has benefitted not only the Orang Utan and other wildlife but also the Segama community who were provided with alternative job opportunities. The project also helped educate the villagers with a deeper understanding and respecting the environment.

“This initiative is an example of how corporate-led initiatives have the ability to assist governmental efforts and make indelible positive changes to foster wildlife and the preservation of the environment for the benefit of society-at-large. On behalf of the State Government of Sabah, I congratulate YSD for, arguably, the world’s first fully restored Orang Utan habitat.” he said.

Since 2009, YSD has committed RM129 million towards the protection of high conservation value ecosystems, vulnerable and endangered species as well as initiatives promoting the preservation of the environment and biodiversity.

For further information, please contact: 

Meena Lakshana
Senior Executive, Public Relations
Yayasan Sime Darby 
Tel:  03-2691 4122 Ext 7614, 013-256 7160 (HP)
Email: meena.lakshana@simedarby.com 

About Yayasan Sime Darby
Yayasan Sime Darby, or Sime Darby Foundation, was established in 1982 and is the primary driver of Sime Darby Berhad’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. 

The objectives of Yayasan Sime Darby are supported by its five pillars, namely: community and health; education; youth and sports; arts and culture; environment. While led by independent members of a Governing Council and managed by a dedicated team, Yayasan Sime Darby works closely with the Sime Darby Group, in areas of mutual interest. 

Since its inception, Yayasan Sime Darby has awarded scholarships worth more than RM240 million to 3,208 students both in and outside Malaysia. It is supporting long term research projects of significant scientific value like the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) project which is the world’s largest ecological project, a joint effort with the Royal Society (The UK and Commonwealth Academy of Science). Yayasan Sime Darby is also actively involved in the development and improvements of sports in Malaysia namely track cycling, lawn bowling, cricket, tennis and golf. Under its community & health pillar, Yayasan Sime Darby supports initiatives to promote the well-being of disadvantaged people irrespective of race, culture, religion, creed or gender and works with established organisations to promote the development of arts & culture.