In a remarkable achievement for sustainable forest management, the Sabah Forestry Department has secured the renewal of the FSC Forest Management/Chain of Custody certificate for the Deramakot Forest Reserve (NC-FM/COC-024465; FSC®-C180387).
Spanning 55,507 hectares, this production and conservation forest has reclaimed its certification status after disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The renewal reinforces Deramakot's status as the world's longest-standing FSC-certified tropical forest and paved the way for extending FSC certification to other forest management units (FMUs) across Sabah. These include Ulu Segama-Malua, Trusmadi & Sg Kiluyu, Ulu Kalumpang-Wullersdorf Forest Reserves, North Gunung Rara, FMU17A, Timimbang-Botitian, and Trusan Sugut Forest Reserve, all of which are pending re-certification.
The certificate was formally presented to Datuk Frederick Kugan, Sabah Forestry Department Chief Conservator of Forests, by Peter Feilberg, Preferred by Nature Executive Director, during the Sabah Forestry Department's Forestry Appreciation Night on 3 May 2024. The event was witnessed by distinguished guests including Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah State Finance Minister, and Musa Salleh, SFD Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Operation).
In light of the 30th anniversary of FSC, the APAC Comms and FSC Malaysia visited the Deramakot Forest Reserve. This story collection visit provided valuable insights into how our work drives impact, demonstrating that even in production forests, biodiversity can thrive. Inspirational dialogue was exchanged with government officials, forest management units, forest managers, local communities, NGOs, and more.
Stay tuned for the full story coming out in this year, and in the meantime, learn more about Deramakot here.