Zurich Malaysia has renewed its partnership with the Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC) to continue supporting the Tropical Rainforest Living Collection (TRLC) Merisuli project in Sabah, the company announced in a press release on 10 September.
The collaboration, which began in 2022, focuses on biodiversity conservation and large-scale reforestation. Current efforts include producing more than 30,000 rare tree seedlings, rehabilitating over 50 hectares of degraded forest, and employing local communities in restoration work.
Junior Cho, Country CEO of Zurich Malaysia, said: “The Zurich Cares initiative represents our proactive approach to addressing the urgent challenge of biodiversity loss.”
Restoration of dipterocarp species, over 60% of which are threatened in Borneo, remains a priority. Their recovery is considered essential for forest regeneration, carbon storage, and wildlife habitats. According to Zurich Malaysia, returning wildlife has included Borneo pygmy elephants, orangutans, hornbills, tarsiers, and sun bears.
“Restoring tropical rainforests is an urgent yet highly complex endeavour,” said Dr Dzaeman Dzulkifli, Executive Director of TRCRC. “With Zurich Malaysia’s continued support, we can scale up our restoration efforts and create the right ecological conditions for these forests to thrive.”
