Local Fruit Tree Planting Programme at the Sandakan Rainforest Park (Kebun Cina Forest Reserve

Monday March 21.2016

BY  AZMIE AZMAN

www.sabahinsider14.blogspot.com

SANDAKAN:- A local fruit tree planting programme was held at Sandakan Rainforest Park (Kebun Cina Forest Reserve) on 19 March 2016 (Saturday).

This programme was officiated by the Director of the Sabah Forestry Department, Datuk Sam Mannan. During the launching ceremony, he said that the total land mass of Sabah is about 7.3 million and at present, 53% of the land area is under forest cover.

The Sabah Government has targeted 30% (2.2 million hectares) of land area to be totally protected forest. At present, 1.8 million hectares of the forested land are already totally protected.

Particularly in the totally protected forests, wildlife is a very important component. 

 

Thus, the fruit tree planting programme to provide food for wildlife held at Sandakan Rainforest Park which is a totally protected forest, was in line with the government’s policy of protecting wildlife. He also emphasized the importance of protecting the forest from illegal harvesting of forest produce, and that in the Sandakan Rainforest Park, gaharu poaching happened recently, and the Forestry Department was trying its best to prevent encroachment and poaching.

Also present were from Deputy Director of Forestry in charge of Research and Development, Dr. Lee Ying Fah, and an official from the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Michael who also took part in this programme. 

A total of about 40 participants, including staff and university students attached to the Forest Research Centre, Sepilok, as well as representatives of the Lions Club of Sandakan Selingan took part in this programme.

 This event was part of practical training for the students, and also aimed to enhance the attraction in the park. Fruit tree seedlings were generously provided by the Department of Agriculture.

Sandakan Rainforest Park is located about 9 km from Sandakan Town, and was gazetted as an Amenity Forest Reserve in January 2007. Sandakan Rainforest Park is well known for its diverse flora and fauna as well as the facilities to support outdoor recreation activities, such as pitcher plant garden, herbal plant garden, exhibition gallery, jogging track, nature trail and children’s playground.

The public is encouraged to visit to the park as there are facilities to promote healthy lifestyle among visitors, and at the same time to become more aware of nature. With the planting of the fruit trees within Sandakan Rainforest Park, more wild animals will be attracted to the park in future as the fruits will be a food source for them. This will enhance the attraction in the park, for sightseeing and photography.

This programme involved 11 practical students based at the Forest Research Centre, from UPM Sarawak, UMS Sabah, UiTM Sabah and Polytechnic Kota Kinabalu. Cooperation and team work among students, staff of Forest Research Centre and Sandakan Rainforest Park led to the success in this programme.