“LIVING TOGETHER WITH ELEPHANTS” : TDM’s COMMITMENT TO BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE PLANTATIONS

TDM, through its subsidiary TDM Plantation Sdn. Bhd. (TDMP), has introduced the “Living Together with Elephants” project as a proactive initiative to conserve wildlife and ensure the sustainability of forest ecosystems. This effort underscores TDM’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly Goal 15: Life on Land, by focusing on the protection of biodiversity within and surrounding its plantations.

As a certified producer of premium Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) and Certified Sustainable Palm Kernel (CSPK), TDMP operates under both the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certifications. The company manages 13 oil palm estates, two mills, two bio-organic plants, and two biogas plants across Terengganu.

Several TDMP estates border forest reserves that are home to wild elephant populations. These elephants often enter plantation areas and surrounding villages, causing significant crop damage and posing risks to both livelihoods and community safety.

In response, TDMP, in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), has deployed two GPS-enabled elephant collars. These collars act as early warning systems and have successfully reduced elephant intrusions by up to 40%. The collected geolocation data is analyzed to track elephant movement patterns and is shared with PERHILITAN for research and monitoring.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, TDMP shares real-time elephant movement data with nearby communities and plantation stakeholders. This enhances community awareness, improves preparedness, and helps minimize human-wildlife conflict—further reinforcing TDM’s role as a responsible and sustainable corporate citizen.

TDM remains committed to expanding this project as a long-term effort toward environmental sustainability and achieving a balanced coexistence between development and conservation.