UMS STUDENT INSPIRED BY IMBAK CANYON SURVEY, HOPES FOR FUTURE CONSERVATION EFFORTS

By Emin Madi

TELUPID, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- For 26-year-old Suzane Endion, venturing into Sabah's untouched tropical rainforest for the first time has given her hope that the state's natural heritage can be preserved for future generations.

Suzane, a student at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), recently participated in Yayasan Sabah’s Resource and Wildlife Survey at the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) here. The 14-day survey, which concluded on Sept 14, 2024, deepened her understanding of the importance of conservation in Sabah.

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Currently pursuing a degree in Recreational and Natural Park Management at UMS' Faculty of Tropical Forestry, she shared that the survey opened her eyes to the critical role areas like ICCA, Danum Valley and Maliau Basin play in safeguarding biodiversity.

“From what I saw in ICCA, I believe Yayasan Sabah has done commendable work in managing these conservation areas,” she told Bernama.

Located 286 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, ICCA is a 30,000-hectare forest reserve in the heart of Borneo. Rich in biodiversity it has since become a hub for researchers. With such a vast area and a 100-million-year-old forest, the discoveries are endless.

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According to Suzane, these efforts are crucial for ensuring that Sabah’s rich natural heritage is preserved for the benefit of future generations. She described ICCA’s unique biodiversity as "amazing" and emphasised the importance of continued conservation efforts.

Suzane also highlighted the survey's value in collecting crucial data for future management of ICCA. "The findings from this survey will not only improve our understanding of ICCA’s biodiversity but also showcase its eco-tourism potential," she said.

Reflecting on her journey, she admitted that she initially felt apprehensive about entering the dense forest.

“On the first day, I was quite intimidated by the unfamiliar sounds of the jungle, even though I was with a team of over 25 people,” she said.

However, over time, she grew to appreciate the unique and beautiful sounds of the forest.

“Sleeping in the jungle posed its own challenges, as the night was filled with strange noises and total darkness. “It wasn’t easy, and I even had encounters with leeches,” she recalled with a smile.

This survey marked Suzane’s first experience trekking through such a dense, undisturbed forest. She was particularly excited to witness wildlife like monkeys, birds, and various vibrant insects in their natural habitat.

“I feel very proud to have been part of this survey. It gave me firsthand experience in learning about forest conservation and wildlife protection in Sabah,” she said.

Suzane is confident that ICCA, along with Danum Valley and Maliau Basin, offers valuable opportunities for research by both local and international scholars. She encouraged more researchers to explore these pristine areas.

The survey involved 121 participants, including more than 12 women, from various government agencies and organisations such as the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department, and WWF-Malaysia, among others.

The main objectives of the survey were to gather data for the ICCA Strategic Management Plan, document wildlife diversity, and assess potential threats such as poaching and forest fires.

According to Yayasan Sabah, the survey was implemented by its Conservation and Environmental Management Division (CEMD) and was the second of its kind, following an initial study conducted in 2012.

-- BERNAMA