OM Holdings, SFC ink MoU on Similajau National Park rewilding
KUCHING: OM Holdings Limited (OMH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) yesterday for the undertaking of a rewilding project at the Similajau National Park.
OMH in a press release said the re-wilding project aims to restore 10 hectares of degraded areas in Similajau National Park and will involve local communities residing near the vicinity of the national park for field planting activities.
OMH will contribute RM482,600 for three years from 2022 to 2025 for the planting of 10,000 native tree species in Similajau National Park to restore the ecosystem of the degraded areas and to rehabilitate the area for wildlife and plants to rejuvenate.
“This activity will be guided by botanists and other experts from SFC in alignment with the SFC Restoration Framework.
“SFC will contribute RM396,000 for a period of 19 years to collect and monitor data on plant growth and biomass to assess its effectiveness and impact in restoring degraded areas,” it said.
OMH executive chairman and CEO Low Ngee Tong commented that OMH aims to create a more sustainable environment and pay recognition to the Similajau National Park from which the industrial park derives its name.
“Biodiversity conservation through rewilding is a critical method for restoring these degraded habitats because it allows us to fight against climate change while staying true to the original flora and fauna of the land.
“It also reflects our commitment to Goal 15 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss through forest management, and all stakeholders have a part to play in restoring the ecosystem in the Similajau National Park.
“By engaging the local communities, we hope to increase conservation awareness in the local communities and create new guardians of the nature reserve,” said Low in the press release.
Through their work as seed collectors, seedling planters, and maintenance workers, he also hopes to create a positive impact for the communities at large, thus he looks forward to the return of wildlife in these degraded areas.
Meanwhile, SFC CEO Zolkipli Mohamad Aton in the press release said SFC is most pleased that OMH is taking a significant interest in the natural environment and supporting the rewilding initiatives of the degraded areas in Similajau National Park.
“Their work also helps SFC raise conservation awareness amongst stakeholders, including the local community,” he said.
Zolkipli added that the natural environment is intertwined with all human activities, and invites other corporations to emulate OMH in supporting preservation activities, ensuring the sustainability of local biodiversity for future generations.
The MoU was signed by Zolkipli and Low at SFC’s corporate office here.