Survey’s crucial role in saving remaining pristine forests

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 25): After participating in three of Yayasan Sabah’s resource and wildlife surveys, Devonne Gopog says the fieldwork is vital for understanding the importance of protecting Sabah’s last remaining untouched tropical rainforests.

He said the surveys highlight the need to preserve these ecosystems, not just for their natural beauty but also for their role in sustaining life, combating climate change, and securing water resources.

“Most importantly, conservation requires leadership, funding and willpower,” said Devonne, who has participated in Yayasan Sabah’s resource and wildlife surveys in INIKEA, Maliau Basin, and the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area.

Devonne, 37, said the surveys enabled him to understand that forests are crucial for ecosystem balance, serving as natural guards against catastrophes like floods and ensuring water security.

“Such untouched forests are rare treasures that must be preserved for future generations,” said Devonne, who also participated in the Taliwas Expedition in 2022.

“At INIKEA, I learned that even severely degraded forest areas can be restored with commitment and effort, as demonstrated by the successful rehabilitation into a pristine forest that now shelters wildlife,” he said.

The objective of the INIKEA Project is to improve biodiversity and assist the recovery of forests.

The INIKEA project area, a consolidated block of 18,500 hectares, is located in the southern part of Yayasan Sabah’s Forest Management Area.

Recounting his experience while participating in a wildlife survey in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA) in May 2024, Devonne said it was both challenging and exciting.

“Not everyone gets the unique opportunity to be flown into a remote forest by helicopter and live there for 12 days.

“Without the chopper, we would have had to spend several days trekking through the thick jungle, dragging with us our two-week load of supplies, including tents, personal belongings, and other essentials.

“Yes, I encountered a lot of wildlife. The highlight was capturing the elusive tembadau on our camera trap,” said Devonne, who holds a degree in Geology from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Devonne, who works with Yayasan Sabah’s Conservation and Environmental Management Division (CEMD), also related a water surge incident that brought brief chaos to the campsite.

“It was late at night when we heard unusual sounds from afar. Upon inspecting, we noticed the river swelling beside our camp.

“We quickly packed, secured our camp equipment with ropes, and prayed the situation wouldn’t worsen.

“A team went to the helipad to communicate with Yayasan Sabah headquarters, walking a few hundred metres in the dark carrying a heavy generator and Starlink, only to discover that Sungai Kuamut had risen alarmingly close to the helipad.

“We managed to inform HQ of our status and, fortunately, after hours of monitoring, the water level started to drop,” he said.

Devonne, who hails from Bundu Tuhan, Ranau, has also participated in a wildlife survey at the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area in September 2024.

The ICCA and MBCA are part of the larger DaMaI (Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon) forest complex.

Yayasan Sabah aims to have DaMaI recognised as a World Heritage site, making it the second such site in Sabah after Kinabalu Park.

-Agency