KUCHING: The Sabal Forest Reserve and Simunjan Forest Reserve Scientific Expeditions Seminar 2026 provided a platform for knowledge sharing and the presentation of research findings, including the discovery of two new flora and fauna species in both areas.

Director of Forests Sarawak Datu Hamden Mohammad said findings from the expeditions have also been documented and published in special publications titled ‘Exploring Nature’s Recovery: Biodiversity Resilience’ and ‘Simunjan Peat Swamp Forest Reserve: Biodiversity Resilience and Hidden Wonders’.

He said the Simunjan Forest Reserve expedition, held from 16 to 25 August 2025, led to the discovery of a new species of land snail known as ‘Hemiplecta gambut sp. nov.’, which features distinct shell characteristics compared to other species.

Meanwhile, another new species was discovered during the Sabal Forest Reserve expedition, held from 17 to 30 November 2024, named ‘Sulettaria kimiana sp. nov.’, a species of ginger currently undergoing scientific publication.

“This discovery shows that there are still many treasures of Sarawak's biodiversity yet to be identified and recorded,” he said.

He said this during the opening ceremony of the seminar which was officiated by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at a hotel here on Tuesday.

Among the dignitaries present during the ceremony Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh and Simunjan Assemblyman Awla Dris.

Other guests present included Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak Datu Abdullah Julaihi, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) General Manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran and Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) Director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan.

A total of 21 studies were conducted in Sabal involving 108 participants, while 24 studies were carried out in Simunjan with the participation of 105 individuals, including representatives from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), SFC and the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).

In a related development, the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and UNIMAS inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in conjunction with the International Day of Forests celebration on 12 July 2025.

The collaboration aims to strengthen research efforts, facilitate data sharing and knowledge transfer, as well as encourage broader strategic cooperation with agencies and institutions at both national and international levels. -UKASnews