Sapulut & the Forest

Before and after FMU14 was managed by Sapulut

The restoration and protection of the Sapulut forest had greatly improved since SFD took stewardship of FMU14 in Sept 1997.

Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) was adopted under the strict regulations from the Forestry Department, to replace clear-felling methods done by past loggers. RIL significantly less destructive than conventional logging.

SFD fully understands the importance of safeguarding the environmental health of FMU14 while also providing to economic needs of Sabah. Previously, the forest was harvested using clear-felling methods to maximize timber harvesting, without taking account of the detrimental effects it can cause to the environment.

There are villages located close to its borders that are home to the local community who would complained about the river getting polluted.

The FMU14 also became the target of illegal loggers who would trespass the border to cut down trees, haphazardly. The FMU14 comprises a mix of dipterocarp forests and share its borders with Sabah’s Wildlife Corridor in Brumas, Tawau.

The Wildlife Corridor serves as a stomping ground to all protected wildlife such as pygmy elephants and hornbills under the Heart of Borneo initiative.

Our contributions towards FMU14

SFD has taken a step further to protect the forest by identifying High Conservation Value Areas (HCVA). Water catchments, rare Kerangas forests, sloped areas and salt licks have been identified within the proximity of FMU14. SFD also assess the wildlife and rare flora in the forest unit. Buffer zones had been established along riparian zones, rivers, and HCVAs so it would not be affected by logging activities in timber harvesting areas. Regular border patrols are carried out to protect from encroachment or illegal activities and curb forest fires, especially during extended dry-spells. A trained firefighting team to combat forest fires was also established by SFD to curb such incidents.

What would happen if Sapulut is not there?

Taking the stewardship of Sapulut’s FMU14 includes the protection of the timber and wildlife, as well as conservation of environment.

Like any FMUs, Sapulut too is exposed to the threat of encroachment, illegal logging, poachers and water pollution and forest fires. SFD is duty-bound not just under its license agreement with the State Government to ensure the protection to all of these forest features.

SFD aims to strike a balance between conservation and ensuring the social and economic needs of the state are met.