SANDAKAN: The Sabah Forestry Department’s Forest Research Centre (FRC) successfully organised a workshop on tropical insects, gathering over 80 participants from government agencies, NGOs, universities (local and international), and Sabah tourist guides.
The “Workshop on Small Wonders of the Rainforests: Understanding Tropical Insects” was officiated by Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Indra Sunjoto on behalf of the Chief Conservator. Running until 30 April, the event features expert talks and insect macrophotography sessions, supporting the Sabah Forest Policy 2018.
Participating organisations include FRIM, Sabah Biodiversity Centre, Sabah Parks, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Nanyang Technological University, Yayasan Sabah, Kinabalu Birdwing Butterfly Club, APE Malaysia, and the Sabah Forestry Department, among others.
Tropical insects play vital ecological roles as pollinators, decomposers, and health indicators of forest ecosystems. In Sabah’s rainforests, butterflies, beetles, ants, and bees maintain ecological balance, aid plant reproduction, and boost soil fertility.
Beyond ecology, insects support nature‑based tourism and local livelihoods – butterfly watching, firefly observation, and stingless bee honey (madu kelulut) generate income. Sabah’s state butterfly, the Kinabalu Birdwing (Troides andromache), gazetted in 2023, symbolises this rich biodiversity.
FRC Sepilok’s Entomology Section advances research on insect diversity, pest management, and ecotourism, housing some 180,000 insect specimens. It collaborates with institutions such as the National University of Singapore and the Natural History Museum, London.
The Sabah Forestry Department remains committed to research, conservation, and awareness. This workshop serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and capacity building in biodiversity conservation and sustainable nature tourism. – James Leong
Presentation of souvenir to guest of honour Indra Sunjoto (eighth, left), by Dr Arthur Chung, witnessed by the co-organisers and speakers of the workshop
