Forests for People

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Empowering local communities

in forest ecotourism

H.O. Mohd Shahwahid, Professor and Deputy Dean, Industry and Society Networking,

Faculty of Economics and Management and Research Associate, Institute of Tropical Forest and Forest Product,

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

he Lower Kinabatangan River Ecosystem has seven forest

types and is rich in wildlife. The forest composition include

montane, limestone, hill and lowland dipterocarp, alluvial,

seasonal flooded forest, peat swamp forest (the largest of its kind

in Sabah) and mangrove forest. The wildlife comprises 208 bird

species, 10 primate species including proboscis monkey, silver

leaf and red leaf langur, two ape species (orangutan and gibbons),

several mammal species, including pygmy elephant and sambar

deer and many reptiles, including freshwater crocodiles. Sabah

is the only state in Malaysia where elephants can be found and

a further attraction to visitors is the formation of ox-bow lakes.

The village of Batu Puteh along the Kinabatangan River (at 560 km the

longest river in Malaysia) is located 150 km from the sea, yet sea water

can at certain times reach this far inland. Batu Puteh has a dynamic

ecotourism programme that has helped to raise awareness and estab-

lish sound practices of forest ecology, conservation and restoration to

conserve the wildlife habitats of the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain.

The programme incorporates village homestays, forest

camps, wildlife watching, student educational and volun-

teer programmes and opportunities to engage in tree

planting and forest restoration as core components of

community-based tourism activities.

The ecotourism flagship at Batu Puteh is the Tungog

Rainforest Eco-camp at Pin Supu Forest Reserve. This

forms part of the wider sustainable tourism project

initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia

(WWFM). Nestled next to a pristine ox-bow lake located

some 10 minutes from the Batu Puteh jetty, the eco-camp

provides visitors with accommodation within the natural

forest environment, with a particular focus on nature

education, ecotourism and research. Participation in this

programme allows visitors a rainforest experience and an

opportunity to gain knowledge about forest restoration.

The eco-camp is designed and constructed jointly

by local youths and supported by international volun-

teers, utilizing the latest eco-friendly design principles

and technology to minimize energy and water usage.

During construction, there was no felling of trees for

the construction of the camp and the buildings were

situated between the existing vegetation on site.

Construction materials were derived from natural prod-

ucts and sourced from nearby villages.

With more than three language groups and over

twenty dialects, members of the local indigenous Orang

Sungai community have a unique and diverse story to

tell of their lives alongside the Kinabatangan River.

Located within the Batu Puteh enclave is the historic

archeological site of Batu Tuluq, a limestone hill whose

many cavities are filled with the remains of villagers

from up to 900 years ago. The village is also known for

several traditional dances including the rimbai, titikas,

menggalai and bambunatip. Traditionally the titikas

dance is used as a welcoming gesture to head hunters

on their return while the rungsai involves interactive

singing among opposite gender youths to call the spirits

and to engage in attracting potential partners.

A model ecologically sustainable community

tourism (MESCOT) initiative

Best practice community-based forest ecotourism

(CBFET) takes into account environmental, economic,

The forests of Lower Kinabatangan are rich in wildlife including pygmy elephant

Image: KOPEL