Latest news with #IUCNGreenList
Free Malaysia Today
13-06-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah's Pin Supu forest reserve receives international recognition
The Pin Supu forest reserve is located in the middle-reaches of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain and is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. ( pic) PETALING JAYA : Sabah's Pin Supu forest reserve (PSFR) has become Malaysia's first terrestrial protected area to be placed on the IUCN Green List, a global standard for well-managed protected areas. The forest reserve located in the middle-reaches of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain spans 4,696ha and is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. It features diverse lowland forest types, oxbow lakes, and a complex system of limestone caves, which play a vital role in maintaining connectivity within the broader Lower Kinabatangan floodplain ecosystem, reported Bernama. World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) manager for protected areas Elyrice Alim said the PSFR is a model for inclusive and effective conservation, with the local community actively involved from the start – including in developing its first management plan. The forest reserve is co-managed by the Sabah forestry department and KOPEL, a local community cooperative that promotes sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism and conservation. 'This is a pioneering example of how local governments can work hand-in-hand with communities to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes,' she said. She pointed out that the IUCN Green List comprises well-managed protected areas grounded in strong relationships with local communities, rights-holders and civil society. Meanwhile, WWF-Malaysia CEO Sophia Lim said the PSFR's inclusion in the IUCN Green List is a testament to its commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting economic growth and social inclusion. She said the partnership between the Sabah forestry department and KOPEL represented over two decades of dedicated, community-driven conservation, adding that she hoped to see more protected as well as conserved areas across Malaysia achieve this global standard. Lim said that as the national implementing partner for the IUCN Green List programme, WWF-Malaysia supports nationwide promotion, coordination and technical facilitation of the Green List process – including helping current and future efforts of protected areas to work towards this recognition.
New Straits Times
12-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Tun Mustapha Park to undergo Green List Evaluation
KOTA KINABALU: The Tun Mustapha Park (TMP) is now preparing for its International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List Evaluation, said WWF-Malaysia. Its chief executive officer, Sophia Lim, said the site is one of Sabah's iconic marine protected areas which is managed by Sabah Parks. "This process involves assessing how well the park is managed and protected to meet international standards. "It reflects Sabah's ongoing, collective commitment to conservation excellence. Together, we can make it happen," she said in a statement. Located on the North of Sabah, TMP was officially gazetted and established in May 19, 2016, making it the biggest natural park and the first multi-use park in Malaysia. The 898,000ha park is home to over 528 species of fish, 250 species of coral, three endangered sea turtle species, dugongs, dolphins, and iconic species such as whale sharks and whales. Last month, Sabah Parks received recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records for planting 12,000 coral fragments off the park. Commenting on Pin Supu Forest Reserve (PSFR) in Kinabatangan having officially been awarded IUCN Green List status, Lim said that it was a testament to the commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting economic growth and social inclusion. "The partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department and KOPEL (Tourism Corporative) is inspiring, representing over two decades of dedicated, community-driven conservation. "We hope to see more protected and conserved areas across Malaysia achieve this global standard. "This milestone highlights the success of local collaboration and places Pin Supu Forest Reserve alongside some of the world's best-managed Protected Areas." The certification, which was issued in May and valid for a period of five years, places Pin Supu Forest Reserve as among the world's best-managed and most effectively governed protected areas. Pin Supu is a Class VI Virgin Forest Reserve, encompassing 4,620 hectares, surrounded by five villages to assist in conservation projects. A 10-year joint forest management agreement (2016-2026) was established between the Sabah government through the SFD and Kopel Bhd.
The Star
12-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Pin Supu Forest Reserve in Sabah earns IUCN Green List award
Tungog Lake, located in Batu Puteh within the Pin Supu Forest Reserve, is a vital freshwater ecosystem surrounded by lowland rainforest, playing a key role in local biodiversity and community-based ecotourism. - Photo credit Mazidi Abd Ghani, WWF-Malaysia KOTA KINABALU: The recent IUCN Green List award for the Pin Supu Forest Reserve (PSFR) in Kinabatangan, Sabah, showcases how local governments can achieve significant milestones by collaborating with communities in conservation efforts. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia announced that this International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List status, awarded in May to the country's first terrestrial protected area, serves as a model for inclusive and practical conservation. WWF-Malaysia's Elyrice Alim, site mentor for PSFR's Green List journey, emphasized that the IUCN Green List is more than just a label—it reflects a well-managed protected area grounded in strong relationships with local communities, rights-holders, and civil society. "What makes Pin Supu Forest Reserve truly special is the community's active involvement from the beginning, including in co-developing the first management plan," she said. WWF-Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Sophia Lim echoed this sentiment, stating that the IUCN Green List is a testament to the commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting economic growth and social inclusion. She highlighted the partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department and KOPEL as inspiring, representing over two decades of dedicated, community-driven conservation. KOPEL is a local community cooperative that promotes sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism and conservation. "We hope to see more protected and conserved areas across Malaysia achieve this global standard," Lim said, adding that this milestone highlights the success of local collaboration and places this forest reserve alongside some of the world's best-managed Protected Areas. Building on this momentum, Tun Mustapha Park (TMP)—one of Sabah's iconic marine protected areas, managed by Sabah Parks—is now preparing for its IUCN Green List evaluation. This process involves assessing how well the park is managed and protected to meet international standards, reflecting Sabah's ongoing, collective commitment to conservation excellence. Lim remarked that the recognition of Pin Supu Forest Reserve on the IUCN Green List marks a landmark moment for conservation in Sabah and Malaysia, made possible through the dedication of multiple partners. As the implementing partner of the IUCN Green List programme in Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia supports nationwide promotion, coordination, and technical facilitation of the Green List process, aiding current and future efforts by protected areas working towards this recognition. Prior to this, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) also received its accreditation in May 2022. PSFR's inclusion on the list demonstrates its exemplary commitment to biodiversity conservation, effective management, and inclusive, community-based approaches. Located in the middle of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah's Kinabatangan District, Pin Supu Forest Reserve spans 4,696 hectares, featuring diverse lowland forest types, oxbow lakes, and a complex limestone karst system of caves. It plays a vital role in maintaining connectivity within the broader Lower Kinabatangan floodplain ecosystem. It is currently the only forest area in Sabah managed in partnership with a local community, where meaningful participation is recognised as a key priority.
United News of India
14-05-2025
- General
- United News of India
Laos intensifies efforts to get global recognition for Nakai-Nam Theun National Park
Vientiane, May 14 (UNI) Laos is ramping up efforts to secure international recognition for Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, one of the country's largest and most ecologically diverse protected areas that is home to numerous animal and bird species, in order to tackle environmental threats. Authorities are focusing on illegal hunting, unauthorised harvesting of forest products, and human encroachment in protected zones. Reforestation programmes are being expanded, and government agencies have been urged to improve livelihoods in surrounding villages as part of a broader conservation strategy, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, reports Xinhua. 'This isn't just about forest protection—it's about building a future where people and nature can coexist sustainably,' said Savanh Chanthakoumane, Executive Director of the park, according to Pha Khao Lao. Covering over 427,000 hectares across Khammuan and Bolikhamxay provinces, Nakai-Nam Theun is one of the largest and most ecologically diverse protected areas in Laos. It supports a wide range of habitats—from evergreen to montane forests—and is home to over 90 mammal species, more than 400 bird species, and dozens of amphibians, reptiles and fish. Designated a key biodiversity area within the Indo-Burma hotspot, the park has long been recognised for its global significance. It was ranked as a priority for biodiversity conservation in 2001 and, by 2008, identified as one of Southeast Asia's richest regions for endemism. At the recent 17th meeting of the park's management committee, chaired by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Lien Thikeo, officials approved an application to join the IUCN Green List—a certification recognising best practices in protected area management. 'This is a significant milestone in our efforts to gain international recognition,' said Chanthakoumane. 'But more importantly, it sets a standard that other protected areas in Laos can follow.' Jake Brunner, head of IUCN's Indo-Burma Group, described the Green List as 'a powerful tool that recognises and supports well-managed conservation areas, while strengthening local capacity through collaboration.' In parallel, the Lao government is preparing to nominate the park for UNESCO World Heritage status. If successful, Nakai-Nam Theun would become a national model for forest and biodiversity conservation—aligning with Laos' broader commitment to green and sustainable development. UNI ANV RN
Muscat Daily
19-04-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
Oman moves towards global recognition of protected areas
Muscat – In cooperation with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Environment Authority hosted a two-day workshop in Muscat last week to introduce a programme called 'Green List of Protected Areas'. The initiative aims to enhance management of nature reserves in Oman by aligning these with internationally recognised standards of excellence. The IUCN Green List is a global certification system that assesses performance of protected areas against 17 criteria and 50 indicators covering governance, planning, management and conservation outcomes. The workshop introduced mechanisms required for nomination, evaluation and listing of Omani nature reserves under this global programme. Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of Environment Authority (EA), said the workshop reflects the sultanate's commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable development. He described the Green List initiative as a culmination of ongoing efforts to improve protected area management and align practices with international benchmarks. 'This step supports the national goal of enhancing the quality and effectiveness of our nature reserves,' said Amri. 'It promotes global recognition, improves administrative performance and ensures community engagement in environmental management.' Sulaiman bin Nasser al Akhzami, Director General of Nature Conservation at EA, highlighted the sultanate's remarkable biodiversity, which includes more than 15,000 species of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, many rare or endemic. Oman currently has 31 declared nature reserves, representing a range of ecosystems including coasts, deserts, mountains, plains and valleys. Akhzami noted that nomination files for several protected areas have already been submitted for consideration in the IUCN Green List. These include the Al Saleel Nature Reserve, which has passed the first stage of the global evaluation, Arabian Oryx Reserve and the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve. The workshop explored progress on including these sites in the Green List by compiling the required documentation and engaging with key stakeholders. It also outlined criteria and stages necessary for achieving IUCN certification, which includes demonstrating effective governance, community involvement and measurable biodiversity outcomes. 'This ambitious step underscores Oman's determination to elevate the management standards of its protected areas and boost their international profile,' Akhzami added.
