Borneo: Preferred by Nature Receives New Funding for Unique Rainforest

The Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA), a unique and untouched biodiversity hotspot in central Borneo, may soon be added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

For 25 years, Preferred by Nature has worked closely with local stakeholders to shield the area against mining and deforestation pressures—a collaboration that has so far ensured Class 1 Forest Reserve Protection status for 173,000 hectares of primary tropical forest.

Now, a 378,000-euro grant from the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation will allow Preferred by Nature and its partners to create a new conservation and restoration plan, which aims to greatly restore the buffer zones of the conservation area and support the nomination of the Maliau Basin as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“For nearly three decades, Preferred by Nature has been deeply engaged in protecting this extraordinary part of Borneo. This new funding allows us to take the next big step, focusing on restoring the heavily logged parts of the buffer zones and strengthening the long-term resilience of this unique ecosystem. It’s a crucial part of its journey towards World Heritage status,” said Peter Feilberg, Executive Director of Preferred by Nature.

Also known as the ‘Lost World of Sabah,’ the Maliau Basin was re-discovered in 1949 by a local pilot and is one of the last remaining untouched places on Earth, with scientists only allowed to visit its interior for the first time in 1988.

“In a time when climate and nature policies are challenged and threats against our forests, climate, and biodiversity are intensifying, we are truly grateful to receive support from the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation for this important project,” said Peter Feilberg.

"The multifarious and rich nature in the Maliau Basin epitomizes the purpose of Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation: Nature conservation and wildlife protection. We have proudly supported the project since 2014 and with this new grant we demonstrate the ability of our fund to work truly long term. The commitment of the Sabah Foundation, politicians, institutions, and NGOs to conserve and sustainably manage its forest resources is exemplary, and together with this grant, it aims to improve the conservation of the Maliau Basin to the benefit of generations to come," said Mette Skov, Chairman of the Board.

The Maliau Basin Conservation Area has over the years received support from a wide range of public and private stakeholders, including the Sabah Foundation, Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, Danish Ministry of Environment, DANIDA, and Swedish furniture giant IKEA.

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About the Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA)

Nestled in the heart of Sabah, Malaysia, the Maliau Basin was only discovered in 1949, when a pilot flying overhead spotted the iconic crater in the landscape below. It has not known any human settlements, nor has the crater itself ever been logged. The area's isolation preserved its natural state to such an extent that it was only in 1988 that the first scientific expedition got to explore the rare biodiversity of the Maliau Basin.

Access the press release here.

For more information and access to photo and video resources, please contact:
Head of Press, Benjamin Holst: bholst@preferredbynature.org / +45 31771100

Featured photo by Kristian Buus