REHABILITATION
The objective of forest restoration is to rehabilitate degraded areas where forest stand or canopy is absent or inadequate by planting fast growing indigenous or dipterocarps species to enhance wildlife habitat, especially orangutan habitats.
From the previous FMP (2008 to 2017) about 11,253.85 hectares (Figure 1) was planted/rehabilitated mostly at Bukit Piton Forest Reserve with support and collaboration by the local and international stakeholders such as Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd and Sime Darby Foundation (Forest Rehabilitation and Protection of Orang Utan Habitats in Northern Ulu Segama Forest Reserve); WWF Malaysia and Yayasan Sabah (Forest Restoration Project in Northern Ulu Segama Forest Reserve). Most seedlings that were planted such as pioneer species, dipterocarps and 'fruit trees'.
Figure 1: Restoration works in Bukit Piton FR since 2007 |
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In the second FMP (2018 to 2027), forest rehabilitation focus mostly at the northern part of Ulu Segama Forest Reserve which is classified as stratum 4 (very poor forest) and secondary forests (shrubby forests and herbaceous vegetation) totaling about 4,300 ha.
2020
In 2020, tree planting activities had continued for two ongoing projects. There was tree planting project in Compatment 156, Lower Kawag, Ulu Segama FR with the remaining area of 150 ha which was funded under the Heart of Borneo (HoB) RMKe11 Federal Fund, and Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) via Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) engagement with the Sabah Forestry Department with the remaining 10 ha to rehabilitate degraded orangutan habitat at the Lower Kawag.
When there was a change of government at the federal level, tree planting projects under MPOC were also affected at the field level because all community workers have not shown interest to work and have stopped working. About 150 hectares was successfully planted at the Lower Kawag in 2020.
Table 1/2020: Restoration Area in 2020 |
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| Compartment ID | Forest Reserve |
Actual (Ha) |
Funder |
156 |
Ulu Segama |
150.00 |
HoB Fund (RMKe11) |
153 |
Ulu Segama | 0 |
MPOC |
Total |
|
150.00 |
|
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Figure 1/2020: Tree planting at Compartment 156 (300 ha), Lower Kawag funded under the Heart of Borneo (HoB) RMKe11 Federal Fund |
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Figure 2/2020: Planted seedlings (Kapur spp,) at the Compartment 156 Lower Kawag |
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Figure 3/2020: Planted seedlings at the Compartment 153, Lower Kawag. (Left) planting Bayur, (middle) Talisai and (right) Pulai. |
Maintenance works which is crucial part in tree planting were being carried out at certain planted area to ensure survival of planted seedlings from creepers and shrubs. The activity includes line and point clearance, and resupply of dead seedlings. In 2020, maintenance activities were carried out in 4 compartments as stipulated in Table 2/2020. About 442.81 hectares were achieved. The situation of maintenance work in the field mostly was affected when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred which caused the maintenance work by the contractor to be stopped for a long time.
In the aspect of mortality rate of planted seedlings, it revealed the range of mortality is various from 10% to 20%.
Table 2/2020: Maintenance achievement in 2020 |
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| Compartment ID | Forest Reserve |
Actual (Ha) |
Funder |
153 |
Ulu Segama |
8.24 |
MPOC |
156 |
Ulu Segama | 338.00 |
HoB Fund (RMK 11) |
106 |
Bukit Piton |
45.94 |
Yayasan Sabah |
108 |
Bukit Piton | 50.63 |
Yayasan Sabah |
Total |
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1,319.60 |
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Rehabilitation achievements for year : | 2008, 2009 & 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020