Mountain
Batu Siman within the park
The
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has
endorsed the proposal for the Upper Baram Forest Area, also
known as the Baram Peace Park. The proposal has the dual
goals of forest conservation and sustainable development and
was developed by the Sarawak Forest Department with inputs
from local communities and civil society. During their 56th
session in November, the International Tropical Timber
Council officially approved the proposal that was formally
submitted by the Malaysian
government.
Peter Kallang, chairman of
Indigenous organisation SAVE Rivers, stressed the importance
of the ITTO’s endorsement: “The communities welcome the