Conservation & management

Maliau Basin Conservation Area is indeed important and worth saving.

Overview
  • One of the few remaining areas virtually untouched by man in Sabah, Malaysia, and globally.
  • Contains unusual forest types and high botanical diversity.
  • Refuge for rare and endangered animals such as Sumatran Rhino, Orangutan, Banteng, Proboscis Monkey, and Bornean Pygmy Elephant.
  • Extraordinary geomorphological features including a high number of waterfalls, likely the highest in Malaysia.
  • Catchment area for the Kinabatangan River, one of Sabah’s largest and most important rivers.
  • Opportunities for research, education, wilderness recreation, and eco-tourism.
Background
  • Size:
    • Originally 390 km² (39,000 hectares), part of a 10,000 km² (one million hectares) timber concession.
    • Upgraded to 588.4 km² (58,840 hectares) in 1997.
  • Designated as a Conservation Area in 1981 by Yayasan Sabah for research, education, and training.
  • Upgraded to a Protection (Class One) Forest Reserve in 1997 by the Sabah state government.
  • Legal Status:
    • No timber concession rights granted under this classification.
    • Legal status and operation established by the Government Gazette, The Maliau Basin Conservation Area Forest Rules (1998).
Management and Governance
  • Managed by Yayasan Sabah on behalf of the Maliau Basin Management Committee.
  • Maliau Basin Management Committee includes representatives from:
    • Yayasan Sabah (Chairman and Secretariat)
    • Sabah Forestry Department
    • Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment
    • Universiti Malaysia Sabah
    • Sabah Wildlife Department
    • Sabah Parks
    • Sabah Museum
    • National University of Malaysia
    • Universiti Putra Malaysia
    • Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
    • Department of Environment Conservation
    • Danum Valley Management Committee
    • Department of Town and Regional Planning
    • World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia
    • Academy of Science Malaysia
    • Tawau Municipal Council
    • District Offices of Tongod, Keningau, and Nabawan
  • Established in April 1998 to advise on policy aspects of management.
  • Current Chairman (2004-2008): Tan Sri Datu Khalil bin Datu Hj. Jamalul, J.P.
  • Current Secretary: Dr. Waidi Sinun from Yayasan Sabah.
Conservation Efforts and Facilities
  • Gazetted under the state Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment 1997 for preservation and enhancement of Sabah’s cultural heritage.
  • 1999 Project: Four-year collaboration with DANCED/DANIDA to prepare a management plan and establish the Maliau Basin Studies Centre for conservation, research, education, and ecotourism.

Maliau Basin Conservation Area Management Project 1999 – 2003

Project Background
  • Initiation: Agreed as a Malaysian-Danish Government to Government cooperation project in the field of environment in October 1998.
  • Objective: Secure the conservation of Maliau Basin for the benefit of Sabah, Malaysia, and the international community.
  • Danish Input: Provided through DANIDA (Danish International Development Assistance).
  • Consultants: Contract signed in October 1999 between DANCED and consultants Ornis Consult Ltd. and NEPCon Joint Venture.
  • Malaysian Input: Provided by Yayasan Sabah on behalf of the Maliau Basin Management Committee.
Project Management
    • Project Steering Committee (PSC):
      • Role: Monitor project progress and approve major changes to project implementation.
      • Members:
        • Secretary of the Natural Resource Office, Chief Minister’s Department, Sabah (Chairman)
        • Director, Sabah Forestry Department
        • Director, Yayasan Sabah (Sabah Foundation)
        • Director, Sabah Economic Planning Unit, Chief Minister’s Department, Sabah
        • Representative from Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment
        • Principal Assistant Director, Federal Economic Planning Unit
        • Environment Counselor, Royal Danish Embassy Malaysia
    • Project Management Group:
      • Members:
        • Project Director: Dr. Waidi Sinun, Yayasan Sabah, Research & Development Division
        • Chief Technical Adviser: Mr. Hans Skotte Moeller, Ornis Consult/NEPCon
        • Composition: Supervised a team of local and international staff
Project Duration
  • Official Period: October 1, 1999, to September 30, 2003.
Objectives and Achievements
  • Management Structure: Establishment of a functional management structure for the Maliau Basin Conservation Area.
  • Field Facilities: Development of facilities for research and other activities.
  • Management Plan: Production of a comprehensive 10-year Management Plan.
  • Capacity Building: Enhanced capacity among staff of Yayasan Sabah and other stakeholder agencies.
  • Public Awareness: Raised awareness about the need for long-term conservation among Sabahans and Malaysians.
  • Implementation: Successful implementation and institutionalization of the Management Plan.
Research and Exploration
  • Exploration Coverage: Only about 30% of the Maliau Basin Conservation Area had been explored.
  • Studies Conducted: Botanical, faunal, meteorological, hydrological, geological, and soil studies, along with detailed mapping surveys.
Public Awareness and Education
  • Environmental Education: Addressed public awareness and environmental education about Maliau Basin Conservation Area.
  • Ecotourism Potential: Highlighted the potential for ecotourism.