Joniston Bangkuai New Straits Times 18 Mar 12;
CONSERVATION EFFORT: Japanese firm gives 2.3ha to bridge fragmented forests in Kinabatangan sanctuary
KINABATANGAN: BORNEO Conservation Trust (BCT) has secured 2.3ha identified as one of the key ecological corridors for elephants and orang utans in Lower Kinabatangan.
The area, which was acquired with the financial support from Japanese firm Co-op Clean Company Ltd, is a crucial "link" to connect the fragmented forests within the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary to ensure the free movement of wildlife, especially elephants and orang utans.
"The purchase of the forest land is a positive step in achieving BCT's vision to secure the ecological corridor for elephants and orang utans," said BCT chairman Tan Sri Ibrahim Menudin.
Co-op Clean managing director Hideyuki Ohara said the company's financial support for the conservation project was made possible through its pledge to donate to BCT ¥1 (3 sen) from the sale of each of its detergent products to its 250 million consumers in Japan.
The company sold 2.6 million units of its products last year, thus enabling it to contribute ¥2.6 million towards the purchase of the land.
"Co-op Clean's deep concern over the issue of sustainable management and conservation of the ecosystem has driven the company to work towards achieving greater sales so that a bigger contribution could be made to BCT."
BCT conservation and research head Raymond Alfred said Co-op Clean's corporate social responsibility model could be duplicated in Sabah or throughout Malaysia, as long as corporations knew where and how they can contribute.
"Part of our plan to secure the link is by inviting the private sector, such as agricultural developers and product suppliers, to participate in our conservation effort and understand where their contribution is being channelled."
Through land purchase, securing and restoration of riparian reserve, BCT hopes to re-establish the vital wildlife corridors linking key habitat and protected areas together.
