Preserving Biodiversity Within Oil Palm Plantations in Sarawak Borneo

Sustainability (by Wilmar Sustainability Engagement)

Hornbills, sun bears, bearded pigs and marbled cats are among the iconic species that still roam the forests nestled within Wilmar’s plantations in the interiors of Sarawak, Malaysia. Twenty-nine rangers guard this 1725.35 hectare site at the heart of Borneo from encroachments. 

Wilmar was the first plantation company to have an Honorary Game Warden Programme in Sarawak. Forty of our staff were trained by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation and subsequently conferred the title of Honorary Wildlife Rangers (Renjer Hidupan Liar Kehormat) by the Sarawak state government in 2015. It was a first for plantation employees to receive such official recognition

^{Group photograph of the first 40 government-appointed Honorary Wildlife Rangers}

Meet two seasoned rangers from Sarawak who have dedicated their lives to protecting our rainforests:

Edward Enggu Anak Setu – From Priesthood to Conservation Ranger

Edward Enggu Anak Setu, 59, dedicated his life to public service. He initially served as a priest at the Anglican Church, Diocese of Kuching, in the state of Sarawak for nearly two decades before joining the plantation sector in 2012. He was among the 40 employees that were awarded the title of Honorary Wildlife Rangers in 2016.

Edward, an ethnic Iban from Rh. Achai, Ulu Awik, Saratok was ordained to priesthood after obtaining his Diploma in Missiology in 1988. He eventually crossed paths with PPB Oil Palms Berhad, which merged with Wilmar in 2007, while carrying out ministry work in Saremas, located about four to five hours’ drive from Saratok.

^{Edward surveying a tree at a conservation site}

As life would have it, Edward has switched to preaching about biodiversity conservation for more than a decade. “It is a calling,” said Edward, when asked about his career decision to serve as a priest and ranger. 

Wilmar has conserved more than 1,700 hectares of fragmented forests within the Saremas and Segarmas plantations that have been identified as High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF). As a HCVF Field Conductor and ranger, Edward regularly patrols its perimeters and the estates’ riparian zones with his colleagues to deter poaching, illegal logging and other forms of encroachment.

It took several years of awareness sessions and trainings to educate estate staff and the local communities about the need to protect rare, threatened and endangered species within the HCVF. When the rangers were able to identify trespassers through images in camera traps, they would call and explain the state’s conservation laws to the villagers.

“Hunting and fishing are part of the local communities’ traditions. So, we have to explain to them and our estate workers, that some animals, birds and plants are protected under Sarawak’s ordinance while certain species would require government permits to keep or hunt,” Edward said, adding that trespassers have become few and far between these days.

In recognition of his excellence and dedication, Wilmar nominated Edward for the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Award for Outstanding Honorary Wildlife Ranger in 2018.

Levy Anak Tan – Deploying Technology for Nature Conservation

Levy Anak Tan, a 42-year-old ethnic Iban from Sri Aman, Sarawak, has been serving as a Geographical Information System (GIS) officer with Wilmar since 2009. After a decade, she decided to join a three-day training conducted by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation and became an Honorary Wildlife Ranger in 2019.

An animal lover at heart, being appointed as an Honorary Wildlife Ranger by the Sarawak state government strengthened her commitment to conservation and allowed her to contribute directly to wildlife protection and awareness efforts.

“As a GIS Officer and Honorary Wildlife Ranger, I assist in mapping conservation areas, monitoring patrol routes, and conducting field inspections to detect signs of encroachment or wildlife presence. I also help coordinate conservation activities and provide technical support using GIS tools,” she explained.

The bachelor’s degree graduate further incorporates drone technology in her work to boost accuracy and precision. With just 29 rangers to protect more than 1,700 hectares of fragmented forest, the usage of drones allows her team to expand the coverage of wildlife monitoring and enhance detection of forest encroachment. 

“It helps to ensure our protected areas remain undisturbed,” she noted.

^{Levy uses drones to monitor wildlife movements and encroachments}

While utilising technology has helped her team deter trespassers more effectively, gaining the understanding and support of local communities on the importance of protecting rare, threatened and endangered species as well as their natural habitats remain one of the key challenges of their work. Most of the natives residing within and around Wilmar’s plantations in Sarawak are Ibans, alongside the Penans, Kedayans, Bugis and other native ethnic groups.

“Through continuous engagement and education, including organising awareness campaigns, dialogue sessions, and training with local communities and estate workers, we want to build trust and foster a shared sense of responsibility in protecting wildlife and conservation areas,” she said.

Read more about Wilmar’s sustainability initiatives at http://www.wilmar-international.com/sustainability

The Bukit Durang Conservation Area (BDCA)

BDCA, which is located in our Saremas Group of estates in Malaysia, adjacent to Niah, is an important conservation site in our Sarawak operation. Since 2014, our research collaboration with the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has provided us the necessary insights into the biodiversity of the area. Bukit Durang is the only remaining forest landscape within the Ulu Suai district surrounded by oil palm plantations. Find out more about it here:  Bukit Durang, the hidden jewel of Ulu Suai, Sarawak

In the banner (from left to right):

• A white-crowned hornbill (Berenicornis comatus) staring into an infrared camera. It is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List and totally protected under the Sarawak Wild Life Ordinance 1998. Photo credit: Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan.
• One of the most hunted species in Borneo, the bearded pig (Sus barbatus) is frequently spotted in Bukit Durang. It is listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.
• A rare photograph of the marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata). It has a similar coat pattern as the clouded leopard and usually moves among the forest canopy. It is classified as near threatened in the IUCN Red List and totally protected under the Sarawak Wild Life Ordinance 1998.