Lower Kinabatangan wetlands restoration: WWF-Malaysia initiatives and approaches

Josephine Regip, . and Rajah Indran, . (2005) Lower Kinabatangan wetlands restoration: WWF-Malaysia initiatives and approaches. [Proceedings Paper]

Kinabatangan floodplains lies on the east side of Sabah which is situated at the north end of the island of Borneo. The Kinabatangan peat is unlike the much more extensive peat swamps of western and southern Borneo both in overall form of the peat swamp and in terms of the species of trees in the overlying forest. It accommodates some of the few remaining freshwater swamp rainforests in Southeast Asia and numerous ox-bow lakes. The richness of plant and animal life in the lower Kinabatangan is renowned throughout Malaysia and the world. It is one of only two known places on earth where 10 primates species can be found including the orang-utan proboscis monkey and the Borneon gibbon. At least 50 mammal species and approximately 200 bird species are found in the area including 8 hornbill species oriental darter the Borneon bristlehead and the unthreatened Storms stork. Unfortunately much of the wetlands is being destroyed by logging and opening up of land for agriculture. By 2004 most private land in lower Kinabatangan has been converted to oil palm plantations due to fluctuation of prices. This has encouraged landowners to plant every square metre of their land including swampy and flood-prone areas. This paper discusses further on the WWF-Malaysia Partners for Wetlands Project initiatives and approaches to maintain and restore the peat swamp forest in the Kinabatangan floodplain.

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Abstract

Kinabatangan floodplains lies on the east side of Sabah which is situated at the north end of the island of Borneo. The Kinabatangan peat is unlike the much more extensive peat swamps of western and southern Borneo both in overall form of the peat swamp and in terms of the species of trees in the overlying forest. It accommodates some of the few remaining freshwater swamp rainforests in Southeast Asia and numerous ox-bow lakes. The richness of plant and animal life in the lower Kinabatangan is renowned throughout Malaysia and the world. It is one of only two known places on earth where 10 primates species can be found including the orang-utan proboscis monkey and the Borneon gibbon. At least 50 mammal species and approximately 200 bird species are found in the area including 8 hornbill species oriental darter the Borneon bristlehead and the unthreatened Storms stork. Unfortunately much of the wetlands is being destroyed by logging and opening up of land for agriculture. By 2004 most private land in lower Kinabatangan has been converted to oil palm plantations due to fluctuation of prices. This has encouraged landowners to plant every square metre of their land including swampy and flood-prone areas. This paper discusses further on the WWF-Malaysia Partners for Wetlands Project initiatives and approaches to maintain and restore the peat swamp forest in the Kinabatangan floodplain.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	2 ills.
AGROVOC Term:	WILDLIFE
AGROVOC Term:	WETLANDS
AGROVOC Term:	PEATLANDS
AGROVOC Term:	FLOODPLAINS
AGROVOC Term:	MALAYSIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:28
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16791

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