FMU5 - A model for Sustainable Development is Greatly Needed

For the uninitiated, here is a summary:

• Forest Management Unit 5 encompasses more than 101,000 hectares in central Sabah, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo.  

• The area’s steep slopes and rich forests provide habitat for the Bornean orangutan and other endangered species and protect watersheds critical to downstream communities.  

• Conservation groups had been working with the government and the concession holder to set up a concept conservation economy on FMU5, but in October, the rights were acquired by Priceworth, a wood product manufacturing company planning to deforest 

The location of Forest Management Unit 5 in Malaysian Borneo (in white). Map courtesy of Global Forest Watch and Google Earth

Read the details of this interesting place and how Sabah-based conservation NGO Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) have been working together to create model for sustainable development and concept conservation economy.




Read about the story HERE

As many as 300 critically endangered Bornean orangutans inhabit FMU5 in Sabah. Photo by Rhett A. Butler

There was uncertainty as the new owners pushed to deforest one of the most critical location.

This is until Sabah, the most progressive State in Malaysia when it comes to sustainable forest management, announced this:

Read more at here at                                                                                                                                                                                                              http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/01/05/sabah-to-gazette-forest-as-protected-area-for-orang-utan-population/

There is much hope!