KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has disputed as "inaccurate" a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that put the Unesco World Heritage Site - Kinabalu Park - as among forests releasing carbon into the atmosphere.

       Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the IUCN report was only based on satellite image mapping and did not include a survey of the actual site.

       "It does not reflect the actual situation on the ground," he said in a statement on his Facebook page Sunday (Oct 31).

       The Star had earlier reported on a report by Unesco with World Resources Institute and IUCN over a scientific assessment that named Kinabalu Park among 10 World Heritage sites that were emitting more carbon than they absorb.

       Jafry said a field inspection was done and they found that the trees that fell were due to old age, a natural phenomenon.

       He said a ground survey was done between Aug 5 and Aug 25 based on GPS readings of the fallen trees (forest canopy openings).

       "It is not due to logging or other activities. Just basing it on the satellite imagery was inaccurate," he said.

       He said field investigations carried out based on Sabah Parks and WWF Malaysia monitoring using Global Forest Watch since July 16 last year found 34 areas of forest canopy openings through satellite imagery.

       "With the Kinabalu Park-World Heritage Site, field inspections based on results from satellite image analysis were not carried out, indicating there were doubts of the summary of facts as reported,” said Jafry

       "The report released by the IUCN was also found to be motivated to seek funding for research proposals related to the high quality carbon business in World Heritage sites, including Kinabalu Park," he added.

       He said there should be more in-depth studies and not just based on satellite image analysis.

       Jafry said over the past 10 years, there have been no logging activities or serious fires in the area, which is monitored by Sabah Parks conducting regular patrols according to schedules.

       He also noted the movement control orders during the pandemic since March 18 last year had also allowed for the flora and fauna restoration in Taman Kinabalu.

       Sabah is seeking recognition for Kinabalu Park as a Unesco Global GeoPark in 2022 and international experts would begin assessment this year if the Covid-19 pandemic situation allowed it.