Heart of Borneo received a special visit from Prince Charles. His trip to Badas Forest Reserve in Belait District on October 31, 2008 allowed him planting the 1,000th Tulong tree (Agathis borneensis) in the forest. This is part of Million Trees Project from International School with Forestry Department.   

Prince Charles planted 1,000th Tulong tree in the Heart of Borneo . © Mahmud Tengah / Brunei's Information Department

The Prince of Wales’ official agenda was mainly bilateral affairs but he also put particular attention to efforts on protection of the Borneo Rainforest in the fight against climate change. His coming to is indicative of strong support for Heart of Borneo and the government of Brunei Darussalam who has outstandingly committed more than 60% of its country to be protected in the Heart of Borneo frame.  

Prince Charles met Dato’ Dr Mikaail Kavanagh, WWF’s Special Advisor to the Heart of Borneo Programme. © Mahmud Tengah / Brunei's Information Department

Badas is included in the Heart of Borneo area. As peatland ecosystem, it plays a major role in providing environmental services to people of . “But if the Badas peat swamps stop supplying water to Brunei Liquid Natural Gas, the company would stop operating within 24 hours,” said said Dato Hamdillah Wahab, Chairman of the Brunei Heart of Borneo Council and Deputy Minister of Industry & Primary Resources.  
WWF hailed the courtesy visit as an international acknowledgement for Heart of Borneo and government commitment to protect it. “Globally, climate change is a major world wide concern, it is fitting that the international community is assisting in the wise management of its peatlands, “ said Adam Tomasek, Heart of Borneo Network Leader Initiative of WWF.

Local people greeted Prince Charless when he came to Badas. © Mahmud Tengah / Brunei's Information Department