KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman expressed confidence the Imbak Canyon Studies Centre (ICSC), currently being developed in Ulu Kinabatangan, will grow into an internationally renowned centre of excellence for research, training and education environmental conservation.
The project he officially launched here yesterday is scheduled for completion in 2016 and poised to become the central hub for research and studies on environment and biodiversity for Ulu Kinabatangan, where the world-famous Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) is located.
Speaking at the launching-cum-breaking of fast event, Musa expressed hope that programmes to be conducted at the ICSC would receive support from all parties, to ensure that all the facilities to be made available at the centre could be fully utilized.
In this regard, he called for a long-term participation from the Malaysian Academy of Science to help develop suitable activities for ICSC, similar to The Royal Society United Kingdom which has been involved with research, training and educational activities at Lembah Danum since over 30 years ago.
The chief Minister said the State Government was committed and proactive in conserving the State’s natural resources, where priority would be given to any conservation projects regardless of their scale.
However, he reminded that in ensuring a continuous and effective Borneo conservation programme is not an easy task and that strong support and participation from all stakeholders are vital for its success.
“It requires expertise, experience, commitment and a huge funding. As such, I would like to take the opportunity to record appreciation and gratitude to Petronas for its contribution of funds amounting to RM77 million for developing the ICSC with Yayasan Sabah.
“The State Government will continue to further strengthen its effort to ensure the success of this project in the hope that ICSC will open a new chapter in our endeavour to preserve our unique heritage for the future generations,” he said.
The ICSC is a project implemented under the second phase of Yayasan Sabah-Petronas Imbak Canyon Conservation Partnership, a collaboration formalized in 2010.
Continue reading at: RM77 million to develop Imbak Canyon Studies Centre
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