In a bold move, conglomerate Teck Guan Group’s collaboration with local conservation group 1StopBorneo in Tawau, Sabah, shows the power of how the right conversations can have an impact. As land across Sabah continues to be snapped up for development or commercial use, the fracturing of traditional migratory routes, loss of habitat and food, increased risk of harm from human contact, cars and other human-led threats mean infrastructure like these are important in providing a solution to the many problems our precious island wildlife face.
The inauguration of the Teck Guan Wildlife Corridor sees a once barren land now serve as a crucial lifeline for endemic species and offers safe passage through what was once impenetrable palm oil plantations. With over 500 members of Sabah’s community attending the launch, it’s clear that initiatives like this connect strongly to consumer values and ethics. Shavez Cheema, who founded 1StopBorneo over a decade ago, stressed a collective responsibility to aid Tawau’s wildlife highlighting the group’s years of research and successful reforestation methods, particularly the planting of marcotted figs which are an important plant that feeds multiple types of Bornean animals and insects — some of them endangered.
Avito Hong, Executive Director at Teck Guan Group, emphasised the importance of small-scale ideas in conservation, illustrating how small forest pockets can transform into thriving ecosystems within a few years. The event included signing of a Letter of Intent, followed by visits to the planting site and soon-to-be-opened waterfall café in Cocoa Village, known for its pristine rainforest and basaltic rock formations.
