The Spiritual Source Of The River Of Diamonds – The District Of Malinau

Malinau has been chosen as a vital first focus area for BTRF River of Diamonds programmes for a number of compelling reasons:

• Its scale – extending over 4.5 million hectares, equivalent to the size of Switzerland, but with a small population base of only about 54,000.
• Its scope – high biodiversity forest of global priority, still intact over 92% (3.9 million ha.) of its surface.
• Its situation – at the heart of Borneo’s remaining rainforests. In addition, an international border with Sarawak offers prime transboundary protected area potential.
• Its significance – particularly as a major ‘carbon sink’ in the context of international efforts to combat climate change.

Despite their clear global importance – backed up by the conservation commitment of the local leadership and people – local Government currently lacks the technical and financial resources needed for the conservation and sustainable management of Malinau’s forest heritage.