KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—edotco Group, a leading integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company in Asia, including the Philippines, has pledged to protect endangered birds residing in their telecommunication infrastructures as part of their mission to connect the world equitably and sustainably.
The Bird Watch Pledge, which was signed with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) at the launch event of edotco’s Sustainability Blueprint, reflects the company’s commitment toward the conservation of Malaysia’s wildlife habitats, edotco said.
edotco Group operates and manages a regional portfolio of over 54,000 towers across Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos.
A transaction with PLDT that was announced in April makes edotco the leading Tower Company in the Philippines. It was also granted the commitment to build and develop 750 build-to-suit sites for leasing to PLDT.
According to MNS, telecommunications towers have become a preferred breeding site for wild birds of prey due to their stability, height and location.
However, their nests are often disturbed or destroyed, contributing to a dwindling habitat and reduced population numbers.
With over a fifth of Malaysia’s 822 bird species classified as Threatened or Near Threatened as of 2020, new conservation strategies are crucial to preserve the ecological balance, edotco said.
Created in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, edotco’s Bird Watch Pledge aims to implement new policies and processes to minimize destruction to bird nests on its towers, create awareness about the importance of raptor conservation among employees.
It also aims to collaborate closely with MNS, BirdLife International, Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Semenanjung Malaysia (Perhilitan) and similar organizations on relevant bird conservation programmes.
“The recent launch of our edotco Sustainability Blueprint underscores our unwavering commitment to the sustainability agenda,” said edotco Group CEO Adlan Tajudin.
“Managing environment impact is part of the environmental sustainability pillar in our sustainability strategy, and we recognize our responsibility to drive sustainable development to preserve the future of our majestic wild birds. With the Bird Watch Pledge, we aim to work hand-in-hand with local nature organizations to strike a balance between technological advancement and wildlife preservation,” Adlan said.
edotco said it will also work with MNS and Perhilitan to conduct wildlife monitoring at selected towers in key biodiversity areas and run raptor conservation awareness programmes to educate edotco employees.
Its employees will also be able to volunteer for MNS’s annual Pesta Sayap (Festival of Wings), which aims to raise awareness of and collect data on birds in the forest and wetlands habitats.
In 2021, edotco planted more than 40,000 trees across its regional footprint, innovated new green designs, improved energy efficiency and invested in renewable technologies among other milestones.
That same year, it was awarded Company of the Year for Excellence in Environmental and Community Welfare Initiative at the Sustainability and CSR Malaysia Awards 2021.
It was also the first telecommunications infrastructure company in Malaysia to be appointed as a Signatory Member of the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei.
Established in 2012, edotco Group is the first regional and integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company in Asia, providing end-to-end solutions in the tower services sector from tower leasing, colocations, build-to-suit, energy, transmission and operations and maintenance.
Image credits: edotco