Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Kinabatangan-Segama wetlands a Ramsar site


KINABATANGAN: Nature lovers in Malaysia, especially those in Sabah have welcomed the announcement that the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands have been recognized as a Ramsar site.

The recognition is significant, as the wetlands comprise rarely-found coastal mangrove swamps and peat jungles.

This recent development would add impetus for efforts on conserving the world’s almost extinct animal species like the Sumatran rhinocerous, proboscis monkey and pygmy elephants.

The recognition was announced at the 10th conference of the Ramsar Convention signatories on wetlands held at Changwon, South Korea last Oct 28. Ramsar Convention Deputy Secretary General Dr Nick Davidson presented the certificate of recognition to Sabah Biodiversity Centre (BSC) Director Abdul Fatah Amir.

Any wetlands that obtained the recognition would be able to obtain assistance from the Ramsar Fund for implementation of biodiversity conservation programmes.

The Ramsar Convention is an informal name accorded on the convention on wetlands that have international significance, particularly concerning habitats of water fowls.

The Ramsar Secretariat shares its headquarters with the World Conservation Union in Gland, Switzerland.

Continue reading at: Kinabatangan-Segama wetlands a Ramsar site

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