A mother and baby orangutan, swinging in the forest canopy. - Mazidi Abd Ghani/WWF
BORNEO, home to diverse flora and fauna species and the third largest island globally spanning approximately 74 million hectares, with Sabah and Sarawak representing about one third of its total area.
The island also has two of the longest rivers in Malaysia, namely the Rajang River in Sarawak and Kinabatangan River in Sabah. This extensive landmass is vital for sustainability and conservation initiatives in the region.
The island hosts a rich array of biodiversity. Among its iconic species is the Bornean orangutan, which is listed as “critically endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list and is crucially tied to global conservation efforts headed by WWF-Malaysia and partners, in support of the government.
Back in the 1970s, the population of orangutans was estimated at 280,000, however, their numbers have declined dramatically. Data in 2012 estimated there to be less than 100,000, and under a business-as-usual scenario, has continued to decline to 47,000 today. This is due to habitat loss from unsustainable palm oil plantation development and poaching.
In spite of this prediction, Sabah’s overall orangutan population has remained steady at 11,000 individuals over the past two decades. This is thanks to strong state government protection in designated forest reserves, with Sarawak’s orangutan population staying stable at 2,000 individuals due to their habitats being totally protected.
Three Bornean elephants in the underbrush.- Engelbert Dausip/WWF
Human-wildlife conflict presents ongoing challenges in Sabah, particularly with elephants whose migratory patterns are disrupted.
Although efforts have been made to manage these conflicts—such as building electric fencing—these barriers often end up driving elephants into local agricultural lands, which escalates tensions between wildlife and communities.
Other species, like the proboscis monkey and various tree-dwelling creatures including gibbons, are also experiencing habitat destruction due to land conversion and unsustainable logging practices, leading to their declining population.
In 2007, the Heart of Borneo Declaration was a significant multilateral commitment from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia aimed at jointly managing the critical rainforest resources of Borneo, covering about 22 million hectares.
This initiative emphasises the importance of protecting headwater areas of major rivers, while promoting transboundary conservation across the three countries. It also supports protected areas, sustainable forest and resource management, ecotourism and capacity building through collaborative governance involving local communities and NGOs.
The biodiversity within the Heart of Borneo serves an essential role in climate resilience due to its position in the intersection of various climatic influences. The forests act as a natural sponge absorbing rainwater, providing moisture necessary for sustaining Borneo’s tropical climate.
However, the impacts of climate change and human activity threaten the ecological balance of this critical ecosystem. Awareness of how forest conservation can mitigate climate impacts is essential, as intact forest landscapes maintain rainfall patterns and enable species survival.
Danum Valley enshrouded in morning mist.- Mazidi Abd Ghani/WWF
The potential for ecotourism in Borneo serves as an incentive for protecting natural ecosystems while also providing local economic benefits. Combining conservation initiatives with tourism can leverage funding and community involvement essential for long-term ecological sustainability.
In conclusion, Borneo’s significance lies in its unique biodiversity and complex ecosystem services which are crucial for local communities, and the broader regional and global ecological context.
The collaborative efforts in conservation, mainly through frameworks like the Heart of Borneo, represent a significant step forward in promoting a balance between environmental integrity and sustainable development, fostering a shared vision for the future.
By laying down the Heart of Borneo initiative, the government emphasises the need for responsible private sector operations through regulatory frameworks such as issuance of licenses and implementation of wildlife action plans. The government plays a crucial role in implementing policies that support environmental conservation, emphasising the importance of utilising resources sustainably and protecting biodiversity.
This mandate urges businesses to align their practices with governmental directives, ensuring they manage resources wisely while conserving biodiversity in support of Sustainable Development Goals.
The profits gained from licenses granted to corporations should be balanced with conservation efforts. In particular, palm oil plantations are presented as potential allies in conserving species like the orangutan. Recent dialogues focus on transforming palm oil plantation development, which has been blamed for habitat loss leading to the decline of orangutans.
By incorporating conservation strategies within palm oil production including setting land aside as wildlife corridors to reconnect fragmented forests, companies can contribute positively to wildlife-friendly landscapes, thereby reversing negative perceptions associated with palm oil.
This shift highlights the dual responsibility of the private sector: to achieve economic benefits while actively participating in the conservation of endangered species, particularly in maintaining vital ecosystems in Borneo.
