The governments of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia (each governs part of the island) made a joint declaration to conserve around 220,000 sq km of rainforest – the “Heart of Borneo” – through a network of protected areas and sustainable forest management.

How much of Borneo rainforest is protected?

To combat this threat, the government of Sabah has pledged to increase the extent of protected areas from a current 23 percent of land area to 30 percent, safeguarding nearly one million acres of rainforest over the next four years.

Is deforestation illegal in Borneo?

Deforestation in Borneo has taken place on an industrial scale since the 1960s. Borneo, the third largest island in the world, divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, was once covered by dense tropical and subtropical rainforests. ... Much of the forest clearance is illegal.

Why is the Borneo forest being exploited?

As in many tropical areas around the world, Borneo's rainforests are being cut and degraded for timber, palm oil, pulp, rubber and minerals. The increase in these activities is being matched by a growth in illegal wildlife trade, as cleared forests provide easy access to more remote areas.

Who is responsible for the deforestation of Borneo?

Only half of its forest cover remains today, down from 75 per cent in the mid-1980s. Oil palm plantations are the main driver of deforestation in Borneo. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of the ubiquitous oil, which is found in nearly every household item from bread to chocolate to shampoo.

Protecting Borneo's rainforest for biodiversity, the climate, and for prevention of pandemics

What is Borneo doing to stop deforestation?

By replanting areas with native rainforest trees and protecting them from wildfires, we restore critical habitats and reconnect populations of orangutans and other native species.

Is Borneo recovered?

Summary: Actively restored forests recover above ground biomass faster than areas left to regenerate naturally after being logged, according to a long-term study on Borneo lowland rainforest. The rainforests of Southeast Asia are among the fastest declining tropical ecosystems worldwide.

What is so special about Borneo?

Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, being home to an estimated 15,000 different plant species. Borneo is home to the Rafflesia Arnoldii flower; the largest flower in the world. ... Borneo is thought to be home to around 222 mammals – 44 of which are only found in Borneo.

How many trees were cut down Borneo?

Between 2000 and 2017, 6.04 million hectares of old-growth forest were lost in Borneo, a decline of 14%. About half of that area was ultimately converted to industrial plantations, and 92% of the forest that was converted was replaced with plantations within one year of being cleared, the study found.

How much of the Borneo rainforest has been destroyed?

More than 30 percent of Borneo's rainforests have been destroyed over the past forty years due to fires, industrial logging, and the spread of plantations, finds a new study that provides the most comprehensive analysis of the island's forest cover to date.

Is logging illegal?

Illegal logging is not widespread in the US, but we are the world's largest importer and end user of wood, including from some countries that have high rates of illegal logging. And the US is one of the world's largest consumers of forest products.

Is deforestation illegal in Malaysia?

In accordance with the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, all Malaysian states have jurisdiction over their lands, forests, fishery, agriculture, and water resources, including the power to decide on the administration, management, use and allocation of their forest resources.

How much of Borneo is deforested for palm oil?

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - The palm oil industry was responsible for at least 39% of forest loss on the biodiversity-rich island of Borneo between 2000 and 2018, data from a research firm based in Indonesia shows.

What country owns Borneo?

Borneo -- An Awesome Island. Covering an area of roughly 287,000 square miles, Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. It is divided into four political regions: Kalimantan belongs to Indonesia; Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia; a small remaining region comprises the sultanate of Brunei.

Why is it important to protect the Borneo rainforest?

Habitat Protection

The rainforests of Borneo are being cleared at an alarming rate, threatening wildlife, indigenous people's livelihoods and contributing to climate change. We work in threatened landscapes to save critical habitats from destruction, and protect orangutans and other endangered wildlife.

How much jungle has Borneo lost?

In 1970, 75 percent of Borneo was covered in tropical rainforest. But in just four short decades that figure has been reduced by 30 percent, according to a new analysis published in PLoS One.

What happened to Borneo?

1.Borneo is not a country

The now Malaysian side was colonized by the British and the Indonesian side by the Dutch. During the Second World War the whole island was occupied by Japan. Now, Borneo is split between 3 countries: Indonesia, Malaysia and the small sultanate of Brunei.

How many orangutans are left?

Although exact population counts are difficult to ascertain, the scientific community generally agrees that there are somewhere between 55,000 and 65,000 wild orangutans left.

How Safe Is Borneo for tourists?

Borneo in general is a safe destination with relatively low crime rates. Tourists should exercise the usual precautions – not walking alone at night, not leaving valuables such as cameras and smart phones on display, and using registered taxis.

Is Borneo a rich country?

The only state entirely on Borneo is the Sultanate of Brunei. Despite it covering only 1 percent of the island, it is a very wealthy state thanks to its natural resources. ... Forbes even ranks Brunei as the fifth-richest nation in the World.

Where are orangutans native to?

Orangutans are found only in the rain forests of the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They spend nearly their entire lives in trees—swinging in tree tops and building nests for sleep.

How can we save the orangutans?

1. Support organizations such as Health In Harmony that are working to protect orangutans and their habitats. ...
2. Buy FSC-certified products. ...
3. Avoid products made with unsustainable palm oil. ...
4. Make small changes in your day to conserve natural resources. ...
5. Talk to others.

Why are orangutan endangered in Malaysia?

The world's third largest island is home to at least 1,136 animal species, as well as some 15,000 species of plants. ... But as the island's forests have been degraded by logging and cleared for palm oil plantations, the orangutan – whose name in Malay means “man of the forest” – has lost huge expanses of its habitat.

Is palm oil responsible for deforestation?

Significant deforestation has been caused there by the expansion of oil palm and pulpwood plantations, as well as road infrastructure and processing plants. Palm oil development accounted for an estimated 36% of deforestation in Sumatra between 1985 and 2016, and 42% in Borneo between 1973 and 2015.