1 Jurnal Hutan Tropika (ISSN: 1693-7643) Vol. XII No.2, Desember 2017. Hal. 1-12

MANGROVE FOREST IN , : CHALLENGES OF THE CONSERVATION

(Hutan Mangrove di Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia: Tantangan dalam Konservasi Mangrove)

Andy R. Mojiol¹, Musri Ismenyah¹, Walter J. Lintangah¹, Bacho Pendrongi¹ and Wahyudi²

¹Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jln. UMS 88400 , Sabah Malaysia. CP. Email: [email protected] ²Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, PalangkaRayaUniversity, Palangka Raya, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Kudat is located in the North part of the island of Borneo, with land area of 1,287.2 km2 or 130,787 ha. Out of the overall total area, 25% or 33,307 ha of area are gazetted under Forest Reserve. Most of the Kudat coastline area is patches of mangrove forest. A total of 19,507 hectares of the total in the Kudat district have been gazetted as permanent forest reserve under class-V Mangrove Forest Reserve. Mangroves play many important functions such as physical protection to the coastline, important breeding ground of marine life and nurseries, source of socio-economy activity to the local people, natural habitat for the living organisms, home to wide range of flora and fauna. Another function is they provide opportunities for the development for eco-tourism. Some locations in Kudat, which are of high potential for tourism development, are Kg. Sikuati, Simpang Mangayau, Sg. Ranggu, Pulau Banggi, Pulau Malawali and Pulau Balembangan. In 2005, about 2,440 ha or 0.8% of the Mangrove forest reserve in Sabah has been lost mainly due to land conversion for people’s settlement. As for Kudat, exploited area recorded are as follow; settlement/urban development (500 ha), aquaculture (15 ha), agriculture and infrastructure (13 ha) - power supply way leave, pipeline, and common tower. Illegal squatters involved about 2 ha and land use conflict of mangrove forest reserve in Kudat were lost to agricultural conversion due to uncoordinated and technical discrepancies of boundaries on the ground. Some challenges in mangrove conservation are, currently there is no management plan prepared for the management of mangroves in Kudat. The management of mangrove area thus far is focusing on protecting the gazetted area under permanent forest reserve under Class V – mangrove forest, gradually by the forest district. Apart from mangroves in PFR, there are also some scattered Stateland mangroves which are not quantified, monitored and protected under any legislation. Considering their locations, roles and functions, steps must be taken to gazette existing mangroves inside estuaries and lagoons as Permanent Forest Reserve (PFR). The apparent of boundaries between state land and Mangrove Forest on the ground are vital to be carried out by the authority. Important effort to better manage the Kudat mangroves is carrying out nourishment and planting activities in existing mangroves. Other challenges are to involve the local communities to conserve mangroves areas, especially thus living nearby the mangrove forest. This paper highlights the status of mangrove, to emphasize the important function of mangrove, and to distinguish the threat and challenge of mangrove conservation in Kudat district. Keywords: Mangrove forest, status and function, threat and challenges, conservation, Kudat.

MANGROVE FOREST IN KUDAT, SABAH, MALAYSIA (Andy R. Mojiol, Musri Ismenyah, Walter J. Lintangah, Bacho Pendrongi and Wahyudi 2

INTRODUCTION masters, scientists, researcher, stake- holders, academicians, foresters and the Kudat located in the North part of public at large to submit the following Borneo, with area 1,287.2 km2 or 130,787 undertaking: (i) to respect the fragility of ha. Out of the total area, 25% or 33,307 ha mangrove ecosystems and their intrinsic of area are gazetted under Forest Reserve. characteristics; (ii) safeguard the genetic; The administrative area include peninsular diversity inherent in mangrove of Kudat and the islands of Banggi, ecosystems. (iii) preserve mangrove Balembangan and Malawali. In the west habitat; (iv) maintain sustainable part of the district is South China Sea productivity of mangrove forests without while Marudu Bay and Sulu Sea at East degrading the integrity of other part of the district. Kudat is accessible by ecosystems with which they co-exist; and road, boat / ship and plane via a small (v) secure the mangrove ecosystems airport in Kudat. The terrain is undulating against indiscriminate destruction, natural and gradually sloping up towards middle harzards, pollutions and damage resulting of the district. Most part of the coastline from disturbance of surrounding areas area patches of mangrove forest. The (Adenan, 2004). climate, rain and dry season are The need to highlight the inconsistency, exaggerated by monsoon. important function of mangrove forest is a Agriculture, fisheries and livestock are necessity to all area in Sabah. For Kudat major agents of economic growth of the district, there is no inventory data has district. Forest activities include been recorded and the presence of detailed processing of charcoal product, extraction survey on vegetation and fauna is a of mangrove trees for piling and necessity. The data on information of manufacturing of rattan and acacia trees status of mangrove in Kudat area is for furniture. Forest activities for limited and far using the old information. recreation are still in small amount, but While Kudat located in northern land of become more popular and presume to be Sabah, is more significant associated of another potential activity to be exploited mangrove forest due to most of the area in the district. concealed by the lagoon and protected The mangrove ecosystem is a from the high wave. The aim of this paper complex one. It is composed of various is to highlight the status and function of inter-related elements in the land sea mangrove forests particularly in Kudat interface zone which is linked with other district, and secondly to identify the natural systems of the coastal region such important threats and challenges in as corals, sea grass, coastal fisheries and consideration to mangrove management beach vegetation (FAO, 1985). The practices and conservation in Kudat. government is concerned with significant roles and contributions of mangrove forests as an integral part of wider BRIEF NOTE OF MANGROVE ecosystems in the country. As been FORESTS IN SABAH strongly emphasized by Y.B Dato Sri Haji Adenan Haji Satem, Minister of Natural Based on forest inventory carried out Resources and Environment; Malaysia in 1969 – 1972, the total area of Sabah stated that everyone include policy mangroves constitutes approximately

3 Jurnal Hutan Tropika (ISSN: 1693-7643) Vol. XII No.2, Desember 2017. Hal. 1-12 322,349 hectares or 4.6 percent of the protection areas for the past three decades, total land area of the State (Sabah Forestry as mangrove wood is not exploited Department, 2005). A total of 317,423 extensively due to the vastness of timber hectares or equivalent to 93 percent of the resources from inland forest. Activities total mangroves in the State have been such as collection of poles and fuel wood gazetted as permanent forest reserves, of have been allowed to a level that has which 315,042 hectares are under minimum disturbance to the ecosystems in Mangrove Forest Reserve (Class V – set avoiding detrimental impacts on other aside to supply mangrove timber and other ecological functions of mangroves. The produce), and 2,381 hectares are Virgin production of chipwood and mangrove Jungle Forest Reserve (Class VI – bark is the only commercial venture ever reserved primarily for the purpose of entered by the state government, involving conservation and research) as shown at the mangrove forest reserve. Chipwood Table 1. production was first introduced in the early 70s through the issuance of special Table 1. Areas of mangroves by Districts licenses to Jaya Chip Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Bakau Sdn Bhd, involving Forest Class Class Total 50,000 hectares of mangrove reserves District V (Ha) VI (Ha) within , and (Ha) district, for the production of Tawau 45,294 164 45,458 chipwood. During this period, an average 15,712 15,712 of 150,000 tonnes of chipwood were 5,839 5,839 exported annually at an average FOB 11,862 11,862 price of about RM70 per tonne (with Kota 53,662 53,662 revenue of RM 780,000 collected Kinabatangan annually), whereas the export of Sandakan 43,751 1,235 44,986 mangrove (tengar) bark at about 1,700 54,318 54,318 tonnes annually at an average FOB price Beaufort 5,710 5,710 RM 120 per tonne (with revenue of Kota 2,635 2,635 RM17,500 collected annually) (Tangah, Kinabalu 2004). 1,396 1,396 As for Kudat, the mangrove forest 9,550 9,550 consist the following area; Pulau Banggi/Belambangan (11,504 ha), Pulau Pitas 50,735 50,735 Malawali (791 ha) and Kudat / Kota Kudat 19,504 982 20,486 Marudu Bay (8,191 ha). The production of

Charcoal (Kayu Arang) and Piling TOTAL 322,349 (Cerucuk) was done in a small scale basis Sources: Annual report of Sabah Forestry Department (2005) and operated only by local. Up to date the Charcoal production convergent A review of the past and current only in 2 areas namely Sg. Ranggu (1) and status of mangrove management in Sabah Tanah Merah (2) which located in by Kugan (2003) reveals that the Kudat/Marudu bay. The royalty price mangrove of Sabah is regarded mainly as charge by the Forestry Department is RM1,50/ Bundle (guni charcoal). For MANGROVE FOREST IN KUDAT, SABAH, MALAYSIA (Andy R. Mojiol, Musri Ismenyah, Walter J. Lintangah, Bacho Pendrongi and Wahyudi 4 piling operator, only one licenses and only MATERIAL AND METHOD operated in Sg. Sabur, Banggi by the villager usually formed in group of 10 – Available information on the past 15 people. The royalty price charge by the and present distribution, ecology and Forestry Department is RM10 per Entry function of mangrove in tropical rainforest Fee and RM2.50 per running feet. Not and other regions of South-east Asia was much management prescriptions or reviewed. Secondary literature from activities prescribed for mangroves, and Forestry Department Sabah, annual report the daily management and supervision of concerning on status and function of all mangrove forests emplaced under mangrove as an important indicator for District Forestry Officer. More efforts in conservation, and by conducting field safeguarding the mangrove forests from surveys and observations in Kudat threats that may jeopardize this unique Mangroves as a complement and ecosystem and only small scale confirmation to the mechanisms. For the exploitation is allowed to make the field survey, the circular sampling plot responsible use of mangrove resources had been used to investigate the plant profitable to enhance the economic value community and vegetation zones. The of maintaining mangrove forests and thus detailed circular sampling plot was sketch safeguard them for long-term (see Figure 1.) while, map of the sustainability (piling, fire woods, charcoal mangrove area was shown in Figure 2. and fish traps).

N

NW NE Quadrate 1m x 1m

Complete area of record = 1 m² x 40 rectangular plots R = 25.53 m W E

2048 m²

SW SE

S Complete area of record = 2048 m²

Figure 1. Circular plot for detailed vegetation analysis and natural regeneration

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Figure 2: Mangrove forest (Class V) reserves in purple color for Kudat, Sabah District (left)

RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS There are about 32 known species dominating the mangrove area in Kudat, The mangrove lands that used to be which can be categorized under true considered as "waste land" in the past, mangrove species, and transitional have recently been treated as a valuable mangrove species as shown at the Table 2. ecosystem, especially for their unique features. Mangrove forests have been traditionally utilized by the local people Vegetation Zones for a variety of purposes. These include the wood and non-products, as well as There are 5 major vegetation zones products and amenities provided within in Kudat as shown in figure 3 and for and beyond its physical limits. Values of mangrove zone profile can be further mangroves are recognized as "tangible" differentiate into 6 successional manner as and "intangible" benefits (Clough, 1993). described as shown at the Figure 3.

MANGROVE FOREST IN KUDAT, SABAH, MALAYSIA (Andy R. Mojiol, Musri Ismenyah, Walter J. Lintangah, Bacho Pendrongi and Wahyudi 6

Table 2. Mangrove Species in Kudat

True Mangrove Species Transitional mangrove species Family Species Family Species Combretaceae Lumnitzera racemosa Apocynaceae Cerbera manghas Combretaceae Lumnitzera littorea Euphorbiaceae Excoecaria Agallocha Meliaceae Xylocarpus granatum Pemphis acidula Meliaceae X gageticus Leguminosae Instia bijuga Rhizophoraceae Brugiuera sp. Malvaceae Hibiscus tiliaceus

Rhizophoraceae Bruiguiera Malvaceae Thespesia populnea

cylindrical

Rhizophoraceae B. parviflora Rubiaceae Scyphiphora Hydrophyllacea Rhizophoraceae B. sexangula Lecythidaceae Barringtonia racemosa Rhizophoraceae Ceriops tagal Leguminosae Pongamia pinnata Rhizophoraceae Rhizophora apiculata Malvaceae Heritiera globosa Rhizophoraceae R. mucronata Myrsinaceae H. littoralis Sonneratiaceae alba Malvaceae Brownlowia argentata Sonneratiaceae S. caseolaris Bignoniaceae Dolichandrone spathacea Acanthaceae Avicennia alba Primulaceae Aegiceras corniculatum Acanthaceae A. officinalis Pteridaceae Acrostichum aureum Acanthaceae A. marina Celestraceae Cassine viburnifolia

Figure 3. Vegetation classification zone (Overall profile from sea to woodland)

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Common species Local name

Avicennia sp. Api-api Rhizophora apiculata Bakau Minyak Rhizophora mucronata Bakau Kurap Figure 4. Vegetation classification Lumnitzera racemosa Teruntum Putih for mangrove zone Bruguiera cylindrical Berus

profile (5-15 m asl) Bruguiera parviflora Lenggadai

(Source: Own survey) Acrostichum sp. Piairaya

Nypa fruticans Nipah There are six (6) successional types of natural of artificially aided transition mangrove zone in Kudat, i.e. preferably to Rhizophora forest.

1. Avicennia Forest 3. Berus Forest Occur towards the seafront Berus forest usually consist of pure bordering the Kudat/Marudu bay and stands of Bruguiera cylindrical with small South China Sea. Representing newly populations of Rhizophora and other formed forest areas, these forests are Bruguiera species. Its occurrence is characterized by young stands of almostly totally along the seafront which Avicennia alba and A. marina that renders it an environmentally sensitive sometimes interspersed with Sonneratia, site that warrants conservation and Rhizophora and Bruguiera species. prudent management.

2. Transitional New Forest 4. Lenggadai Forest This forest type straddles between The Lenggadai Forest is an the accreting Avicennia forest and the occasional forest, which usually Rhizophora or Bruiguiera forest. It comprises a mixture of Bruguiera comprises the older accreting Avicennia parviflora with Rhizophora species forest, which carries in it intermittent towards the mainland and Bruguiera stands of either Rhizophora or Bruiguiera cylindrical towards the seafront. species in varying proportions. It needs to Lenggadai Forest is more prevalent be clearly defined and accorded restrictive towards the mainland and is more protection status to allow for its continuing abundant in Marudu bay.

MANGROVE FOREST IN KUDAT, SABAH, MALAYSIA (Andy R. Mojiol, Musri Ismenyah, Walter J. Lintangah, Bacho Pendrongi and Wahyudi 8

5. Rhizophora Forest 2. Habitat function Rhizophora Forest is a major forest Important breeding ground of type in Kudat Mangroves. It comprises marine life and nurseries for the immature about 80% of the total forested area. This stages of fish, prawn and crab (8% of forest type consists predominantly of Kudat population involved as fisherman). Rhizophora apiculata and R. mucronata, There are 5-aquaculture project recorded the two main commercial species. This within mangrove forest in Kudat know as forest is characterized by trees with Prawn project (2), Crab project (1) and straight boles and even canopy heights. Fish cage project (2). Natural habitat for the living organisms, home to wide range 6. Nypa Forest of flora and fauna. Result from ground Nypa Forest (Nypa fruiticans) is survey and local people observation on confined to the upper stretches of fauna have been spotted in mangrove riverbanks of tidal rivers where there is forest in Kudat / Banggi area:- greater freshwater influence. The palms  A group of 15-20 Proboscis monkey grows gregariously, interspersed with (Sungai Tamalang, Kudat) – Avicennia and Sonneratia species near Observation estuaries, with Rhizophora and Bruguiera  White Eagle (Sikuati / Banggi) - species further inland and Heritiera and common sighting Excoecaria species in the hinterland with  Crocodile (Sg. Sabur Banggi and little tidal influence. The undergrowth Balembangan) - common sighting comprises mainly Acrostichum fern  Long tail monkey (common in growing on mud lobster mounds. Kudat/Bangi) - common sighting  Fireflies – (Sg. Sikuati, Kudat, East part of ) – Observation. The Importance Function 3. Utility and socio-economic function The Importance function of mangrove Mangroves are important resource forest in Kudat identified as: especially to the coastal communities, which in the past depends on it for their 1. Protection function subsistent living. Source of economy Physical protection to the coastline activity to the local people include by helping to mitigate the impact of strong firewood, mangrove barks, piling and waves and gushing sea water, prevention charcoal production (3 charcoal of erosion, and serving as biological exist in Kudat district). filtering system and sink for pollutants. Protective function of the forests shall 4. Potential for nature tourism site and prevent potentially dangerous impacts and recreation probably be able to warrant the larger part The uniqueness of mangrove is of protective functions, in particular the widely acknowledged. Mangrove has regulation of water and local climate provides avenue for the development and features and prevention of erosion (Mojiol high demand for nature tourism. In-depth et.al, 2007). study may reveal some unique resources, which could be exclusive to this area.

9 Jurnal Hutan Tropika (ISSN: 1693-7643) Vol. XII No.2, Desember 2017. Hal. 1-12 Even though mangrove in Kudat is not conversion of mangroves to fish ponds. develop for tourism yet but some activities At the same time, the conversion of that can attract tourist such as boat trips mangrove lands to salt beds and rice through the rich estuarine mangroves, fields brought in higher monetary sports fishing, bird watching could be a returns within a short period. potential. Some spot area in Kudat with 3. Illegal squatters – not less than 300 ha are of high potential for tourism of mangrove forests have been development are Kg. Sikuati, Simpang encroached by illegal immigrants in Mangayau, Sg. Ranggu, Pulau Banggi, Sabah. In Kudat, Illegal squatters Pulau Malawali and Pulau Balembangan. involved about only 2 Ha (approx). 4. Land use conflict – 1100 ha of Mangrove forest reserve in Sabah were Threat of Mangrove Conservation in lost to agricultural conversion due to Kudat uncoordinated and technical discrepancies of boundaries on the In 2005, approximately 2,440 ha or ground. Lack of government attention 0.8% of the Mangrove forest reserve in and most of the mangrove lands were Sabah has been lost mainly conversion for left unattended by governments. Many people’s settlement. As for Kudat, of the mangrove are yet to formulate exploited area recorded as follows; the required coastal zone management Settlement / Urban Development (500 ha), plans incorporating the details of Aquaculture (15 ha -Approx), Agriculture mangrove management. (No record, but estimated more than 50 5. Inadequate manpower and logistics: ha) and Infrastructure include Power The mangrove management agencies, Supply Way leave (9.95 ha), Pipeline mostly the local forestry departments, (1.43 ha), Common Tower (1.5 ha). The very often do not have the adequate factors influencing the encroachment of manpower and logistics required for mangroves in Kudat are due to the the implementation of effective increased of population pressures in management. coastal areas. 6. Besides these, Waste water effluent Exploitation for infrastructure and produced by factories, direct dumping urban development, inevitably caused the of municipal wastes into the rivers, use of mangrove lands for various pesticide run-off from neighboring purposes such as construction of roads, agricultural areas, including ports and harbours, industries, accumulation of heavy metals into the urbanization, etc (Hamilton & Snedaker mangrove ecosystems, are causing 1984). definite stress on them. 1. Traditional industry – local activities with small magnitude and negligible to the destruction of mangrove forest. Challenges in Mangrove Management Higher short-term benefits: Alternative Practices in Kudat uses of mangrove lands, especially for the production of fish and prawns, 1. Mangrove management succeeded in fetching higher monetary Mangrove forest management in gains over a short period and led to the Kudat still needs improvement. There is MANGROVE FOREST IN KUDAT, SABAH, MALAYSIA (Andy R. Mojiol, Musri Ismenyah, Walter J. Lintangah, Bacho Pendrongi and Wahyudi 10 no management plan for mangrove in demand for land for settlement and management in Kudat. All mangrove aquaculture will result in more mangrove forest under jurisdiction of Sabah Forestry forests being encroached. Other Department are managed without any challenges are to involve the local interference of human assistance in its communities to conserve mangroves regeneration and rehabilitation, based on areas, especially thus living nearby the the factor that mangroves are able to mangrove forest. regenerate by themselves without any human intervention. The management of 4. Reserve boundaries and the security of mangroves must be carried out holistically the resources so as to ensure a balance management Safeguarding the mangrove resources system for addressing the socio economic from external threats can be difficult with and environmental concern. To conserve long perimeters of reserves and absence of mangrove forests to protect the ecosystem boundaries demarcated on the ground. To for long-term sustainability. demarcate all of them is a very costly exercise. 2. Competing land-use demand and socio- economic development 5. Maintaining the healthy mangrove Mangrove ecosystems are subject to ecosystem increased pressure of socio-economic Apart from commercial values, the activities or development such as marine mangrove ecosystem is also known to fishery, aquaculture, agriculture activities, serve many other functions, which are human settlements and tourism. With important for the well being of other varying degree of interests, both sector of the economy. An example is the compatible and competing uses, it is fishery sector and other marine fauna challenge to balance the diverse interests provide important feeding and breeding without jeopardizing the many function of grounds for fish, crabs and prawns. the mangroves. Apart from mangroves in Maintaining such functions can be PFR, there are also some scattered state challenging in view of the rapid rate of land mangroves which are not quantified, development where mangrove are exposed monitored and protected under any to threats from external activities such as legislation. pollution and solid wastes. However, not much is know about how the mangroves 3. Illegal felling and settlement respond to these potential threats and the Illegal felling for poles and fishing appropriate mitigation measure that can be stakes is persistence in the mangrove taken at the local level. forests. These illegal activities are mainly along the river banks. In Kudat, deltas where mangroves exist are intersected by CONCLUSION rivers and small streams where illegal activities are difficult to detect. Some It is acknowledged that mangrove mangrove areas are also encroached by resource in Kudat, Sabah Malaysia fulfills commercial shrimp farming and illegal many extremely important productive, settlement. Unless preventive and protective and social functions. Yet, corrective actions are taken now, increase increased population pressures in coastal

11 Jurnal Hutan Tropika (ISSN: 1693-7643) Vol. XII No.2, Desember 2017. Hal. 1-12 areas and lack of awareness have lead to REFERENCES large-scale conversion of mangroves to other land uses. Considering their Adenan Haji Satem. 2004. Sustainable locations, roles and functions, steps must Management of Mangrove Forest in be taken to gazette existing mangroves Malaysia: Now and beyond. Keynote inside estuaries and lagoons as Permanent Address of National Conference on Forest Reserve (PFR). The apparent of Sustainable Management of Matang boundaries between State land and Mangroves 100 Year & Beyond, Ipoh Mangrove Forest on the ground are vital , 5 – 8 October 2004. to be carried out by the authority. Clough, B. F. 1993. The status and value Currently, there is no specific of mangrove forests in Indonesia, management plan for mangroves and Malaysia and Thailand: Summary. management practices is only in-terms of The economic and environmental regulating small-scale use of wood values of mangrove forests and their resources for building materials, fuel by present state of conservation in the local communities and small-scale South-East Asia/Pacific Region. P 1- aquaculture project. Important effort to 10. better manage the Kudat mangroves is FAO, 1985. Mangrove management in carrying out nourishment and planting Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. activities in existing mangroves. Other FAO Environment Paper 4 pp 60. challenges are to involve the local Hamilton, L.S. & Snedaker, S.C. 1984 communities to conserve mangroves Handbook for Mangrove Area areas, especially thus living nearby the Management. pp123. mangrove forest. Kugan, F. 2003. Conservation and biodiversity of mangrove in Sabah. Paper presented in National ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Workshop on Mangrove Forests “New Insight on the Management and This study was carried out with the Silviculture of Mangroves”. 15-17 help of the members of the Faculty of July, 2003 Taiping, Perak, Malaysia Science and Natural Resources, Universiti 10pp. Malaysia Sabah and Sabah Forestry Mojiol, A.R., Affendy, H., Jocelyn, M and Department Kudat. The authors would Musri, I. 2007. The Function of Kota like to thank to the Sabah Forestry Kinabalu Wetland Centre Mangroves Department for giving permission to as a Green Ecosystem in Kota access to the mangroves forest and present Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. this paper in this conference. Proceedings of the Conference on Marine Ecosystem of Malaysia, 29 – 30 May 2007. Port Dickson, .

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