| The SITE Seminar and Field Visit to the Klias Peninsula - 2 October 2004 |
| The Sabah Inter-Agency Tropical Ecosystem (SITE) Research Seminar is an annual activity that promotes multi-sector discussion of issues and challenges in managing the diverse ecosystems in Sabah. On 29 September, it held its ninth event, co-sponsored by the UNDP/GEF and Danida funded Peat Swamp Forest Project. The theme of the Seminar is "Management and Sustainable Use of the Peat Swamp Forests and Associated Wetland Ecosystems: Issues and Challenges" is pertinent and timely to showcase the current state of knowledge and environmental concerns toward this vital resources. On 2 October, 50 of the Seminar participants visited the peat swamp environment of the Klias Peninsula. The field tour was jointly organized by the Sabah Forestry Department. The visit showcased a commitment by the government towards the conservation and sustainable management of the peat swamp forest in the Klias Peninsula and the participants reciprocated suh gesture by encouraging the Project to continue its role in championing the cause, particularly to manage the conflicts between conservation and socio-economic development. The Field Tour was conducted with the following objectives; namely 1. To foster an understanding, awareness and cooperation amongst the stakeholders in the values of protection and conservation of the peat swamp forests in the Klias Peninsula; and 2.To exchange information on the peat swamp forest conservation and wise-use management. I participated in the Field Tour to meet with the those decision-makers who have interests in managing the peat swamp forests of the Klias Peninsula. During the brief encounters with the visitors, I managed to immerse in an educational journey of understanding the underlying causes of degradation and biodiversity losses. |
| Cruising along the Klias River: stalking the Proboscis monkeys |