Provision of Livelihood Benefit To Local Communities Through Co-Manage of Forest Reserve

Snapshot Solution

by Rio Peter Gatulik, Sabah Forestry Department

Eco-tourism based on a community model, a sustainable approach to tourism that prioritizes the involvement and benefit of local communities and the preservation of natural environments.

PSFR

Pin Supu Forest Reserve is a special place with seven different types of forests, surrounded by five villages. A crucial project is underway from 2021 to 2025 to protect this unique ecosystem. In the past, encroachment posed a major threat due to its proximity to villages. To address this, the Sabah State Government, represented by Pin Supu Forest Reserve management, signed a 10-year agreement (2016-2026) with Kopel Berhad for joint forest management.

This collaboration has led to positive outcomes, with the community benefiting from eco-tourism, now a vital part of their economy. The initiative also promotes Sustainable Forest Management in the communities surrounding Pin Supu Forest Reserve, Kinabatangan. Together, they are working towards a sustainable future for both the forest and the people.

Last update: 05 Sep 2024

155 Views

Photo and video gallery

See all photos

Context

Challenges addressed

Wildfires

Invasive species

Poaching

Infrastructure development

Lack of infrastructure

Scale of implementation

Local

Ecosystems

Tropical evergreen forest

Theme

Access and benefit sharing

Biodiversity mainstreaming

Habitat fragmentation and degradation

Invasive alien species

Poaching and environmental crime

Ecosystem services

Restoration

Protected and conserved areas governance

Sustainable livelihoods

Indigenous people

Protected and conserved areas management planning

Location

KOPEL, Jalan Mengaris, Batu Putih, Kota Kinabatangan, Sabah 90200, Malaysia

Southeast Asia

Impacts

Managing forest reserves with the involvement of surrounding communities has numerous positive impacts across environmental, social, and economic domains, benefiting both local people and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Environmental Impacts: - Biodiversity Conservation - Habitat Protection - Carbon Sequestration - Water Resource
Management Social Impacts: - Empowerment and Ownership - Cultural Preservation - Livelihood Opportunities - Conflict
Resolution Economic Impacts: - Income Generation - Job Creation - Value Addition.

In summary, co-managing forests yields positive outcomes, including enhanced environmental conservation, social empowerment, cultural preservation, and economic development, fostering sustainable and resilient landscapes for both present and future generations.

Additionally, the income of the community (KOPEL) increased by 64% from 2021 to 2022, and there was a significant increase in forest cover based on GIS data: from 2008 to 2016 (0.4%), 2016 to 2020 (0.8%), and 2020 to 2023 (1.1%).