Ecotourism Key To Sabah's Biodiversity Conservation Success

In the untamed forest landscape of Sabah, tourism is not just another industry – it is potentially the lifeline that could save this ecological treasure chest from the relentless march of so-called progress. 

But without the right hands at the wheel, this same force could tear through these ancient forests. So it is a choice between embracing environmental responsibility in the pursuit of progress, or becoming merely another conquering force that leaves only footprints and empty promises.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) director Associate Prof Dr Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim cautioned that tourism initiatives lacking proper planning could harm natural habitats, create stress for wildlife populations and erode cultural heritage.

She said Sabah enjoys a privileged position with its internationally recognised conservation areas, many under the stewardship of Yayasan Sabah Group (YS) – a leader in sustainable forest management – in partnership with ITBC.

This equilibrium, she added, stems from both organisations sharing a unified vision to position Malaysia, particularly Sabah, as a global leader in ecotourism that simultaneously benefits communities and protects biodiversity.

“This balanced approach precisely defines the collaborative relationship between ITBC and YS.

“YS oversees some of Sabah’s most significant ecotourism destinations, while ITBC provides crucial scientific expertise that informs visitor capacity limits, provides management strategies and guides training programmes,” she said in an interview with Bernama. 

By conducting detailed studies on wildlife behaviour patterns and habitat sensitivity, ITBC develops tourism guidelines to ensure visitors enjoy enriching experiences without causing environmental harm, explained Fiffy Hanisdah, an expert on Tourism Studies: Environmental Conservation and Remediation.

EVALUATE ECOSYSTEM HEALTH

Pointing to the Danum Valley (in Lahad Datu district) and Imbak Canyon (80 kilometres south of Telupid) conservation areas managed by YS, Fiffy Hanisdah said they exemplify how long-term scientific research can harmoniously coexist with community engagement and ecotourism initiatives.

Assoc Prof Dr Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim. Photo credit Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim

“At these locations, ITBC researchers collaborate directly with Yayasan Sabah to monitor wildlife populations, evaluate ecosystem health and ensure tourism activities maintain sustainability standards,” she said.

One notable achievement of their partnership has been how YS’s sustainable forest management vision was enhanced through ITBC’s scientific contributions.

Their joint efforts have led to the documentation of rare and endangered species, discovery of previously unknown organisms and dissemination of this knowledge to policymakers and the public.

“Equally important are our collaborative community programmes empowering local residents to become biodiversity guardians through ecotourism operations, environmental education initiatives and conservation-based livelihood projects.

“These success stories demonstrate that Sabah isn’t merely protecting forests… it is establishing benchmarks that other regions can adopt and replicate,” she added.

POLICIES

When asked how UMS research translates into effective conservation policies and practices, Fiffy Hanisdah said the ITBC-YS partnership ensures research extends beyond academic circles.

For example, conservation management strategies are formulated based on the research findings, while biodiversity inventories conducted by ITBC contribute significantly to YS’s forest management and conservation planning. 

Yayasan Sabah Group building. Photo credit: www.yayasansabahgroup.org.my

“ITBC works closely with YS to present research findings in accessible formats for policymakers, community members and educational institutions,” she explained.

This collaborative approach ensures scientific knowledge is not perceived as abstract or distant but as a practical resource guiding decision-making processes.

“Whether through conservation master plans, community training programmes or biodiversity exhibitions, our partnership ensures knowledge transitions from laboratory settings to field applications where it creates tangible impact,” Fiffy Hanisdah said.

She also said the crucial lesson ITBC and YS have learned through collaboration is that effective conservation requires co-creation – that is, working alongside communities rather than simply implementing programmes for them.

“The local communities represent the cornerstone of successful conservation initiatives. Without their involvement, conservation efforts inevitably falter.”

COMMUNITIES

Communities residing near YS’s forest conservation areas participate actively in science-informed strategies rather than serving as passive beneficiaries.

The Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon conservation areas, also known as DaMaI rainforest landscape, are managed by YS.

Drawing on ITBC’s scientific findings, YS has developed management measures and community programmes that train the local residents to become ecotourism operators, biodiversity monitors and conservation educators.

Dr Fiffy (second left) with her team during field prospecting activity for nature tourism potential.

Indigenous knowledge, meanwhile, constitutes a fundamental element in effective biodiversity management, with ITBC’s collaboration with YS demonstrating its remarkable potential when integrated with scientific methodologies.

Fiffy Hanisdah said local communities possess generations of wisdom regarding forest utilisation, medicinal plants, wildlife behaviour and sustainable practices.

“These traditional approaches frequently align with modern ecological principles, such as rotational farming techniques, sustainable harvesting methods and protection of sacred forest sites,” she said.

This dual knowledge system ensures not only biodiversity protection but also preservation of cultural identity, she added.

“It underscores that conservation in Sabah transcends species preservation… it also honours communities who have maintained harmonious relationships with these ecosystems for centuries.”

CONSERVATION CHALLENGES

Addressing current biodiversity conservation challenges, Fiffy Hanisdah described Sabah as standing at a critical juncture where biodiversity faces increasing pressures from multiple fronts, including habitat fragmentation, climate change impacts and human-wildlife conflicts.

“Deforestation and land conversion have fragmented our forests, threatening movement corridors for elephants, orangutans and countless other species.

“Hence, the ITBC-YS collaboration becomes particularly crucial in this context. YS manages extensive forest landscapes vital for biodiversity, while ITBC provides scientific expertise to understand ecosystem functions and propose optimal protection strategies,” she said.

Sabah’s story is not just about scientific partnerships or conservation metrics – it is also about striking the balance where human ambition and nature can coexist harmoniously. 

As the sun sets over Danum Valley, it becomes clear that what is being preserved is more than biodiversity – it is a worldview that sees humanity not as conquerors but as humble guests in nature’s vast home. Perhaps that perspective is the most precious resource of all.