KOTA KINABALU: A utility company has donated RM50,000 for the planting of Napier grass as part of the Wildlife Corridor Enrichment Programme, here.
Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd's (SESB) contribution is part of an initiative following an agreement with the state Forestry Department in March.
The agreement was inked during a workshop on minimising the impact of development projects on forests.
SESB is set to commence its Southern Link project under the 12th Malaysia Plan. It will involve the procurement of 330 kilometres of land, including 120 kilometres of forest reserve.
The project, spanning Mengalong in Sipitang and Kalumpang in Tawau, will be an alternative electricity grid that connects the east and west coasts of Sabah. It will help strengthen and complete the 275kv ring system by 2025.
SESB chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said it is the company's responsibility to ensure infrastructure development is done properly.
"At the same time, we want to ensure that the environment is not affected.
"SESB realises our corporate social responsibility by giving donations to plant Napier grass, which is consumed by elephants," he said in a statement after a meeting with Forest Conservator chief Frederick Kugan, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Frederick said the grass planting is a way to provide an alternative corridor for elephants to minimise the impact of new land exploration.