Group photo of participants at a seminar on Tawai Forest Reserve in Kota Kinabalu.
KOTA KINABALU: Conservationists want priority given in balancing development and conservation at Sabah's biodiversity-rich Tawai Forest Reserve amid a controversial move to allow the Pan Borneo Highway to cut through the area.
They called for prioritising the monitoring of land use changes, stepping up conservation efforts and promoting community-led initiatives to mitigate the impact of major infrastructure projects.
The call was made at a recent Sabah Forestry Department-organised seminar "Defining Tawai: Ecological Integrity Meets Social Values" which was attended by some 200 people including experts, university lecturers, non-governmental organisations, government officials and students.
One of the key concerns raised was the potential impact of the Pan Borneo Highway, which cuts through Ruku Ruku Valley, an ecologically sensitive area within Tawai Forest Reserve.
Participants feared that the highway would fragment wildlife habitats, posing significant risks to species that depend on large, contiguous landscapes such as the Bornean elephant and the critically endangered Bornean peacock pheasant.
They also feared that habitat fragmentation may lead to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts, disrupt wildlife corridors and diminish the genetic diversity of species in the reserve.
Other threats to the forest include encroachment and the expansion of plantations, which would further worsen habitat degradation.
These were among the topics of discussion during the seminar that highlighted the Tawai Forest Reserve's role as a cornerstone of Sabah's natural heritage.
Recent biodiversity surveys revealed 1,296 plant species, including 147 endemics to Borneo and 51 listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Wildlife studies recorded 18 frog species, 68 bird species, including the endangered Bornean peacock pheasant and several endemic insects, reaffirming the reserve's status as a biodiversity hotspot.
The Tawai Forest Reserve also offers significant ecotourism potential with attractions including the Tawai waterfall, Tawai 4-peaks and Tawai rainforest camp.
The Forest Research Centre team led by Dr Reuben Nilus and Julsun Sikui also presented research on Tawai's land cover dynamics, soil assessment, water quality, forest ecosystems, flora and fauna biodiversity and social surveys, exploring community perceptions on ecosystem services.
The research presented at the seminar highlighted Tawai Forest Reserve as a vital ecosystem provider, contributing significantly as habitats for flora and fauna, clean water resources and provision for local livelihoods.
Speakers from the Community Elephant Ranger Team Telupid and Seratu Aatai also gave critical insights on the vital ecosystem services and wildlife movement in Tawai Forest Reserve, which is a vital water catchment area.
Participants underscored the need to integrate science, remote sensing technology and traditional knowledge to enhance conservation and sustainable management to preserve Tawai Forest Reserve for future generations.
They also acknowledge local communities play a central role in conservation by providing traditional knowledge and insights that complement scientific data.
At the opening of the seminar, chief conservator of forests Datuk Frederick Kugan said: "It's crucial to involve the local communities who depend on these ecosystems, so they can directly benefit from and contribute to the conservation efforts".
His speech was delivered by his deputy Dr Arthur Chung.
Sabah government had rejected an alternative route recommended by conservationists when the state Cabinet gave the go-ahead for the Pan Borneo Highway to cut through the Tawai Forest Reserve in Sabah's Telupid district.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said necessary measures would be taken to mitigate wildlife conflict, including putting up electric fences.
