湿地研究 Wetland Research Vol.7, 45-51（2017） Case Introduction / Topix
Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) Commitment on Wetlands Conservation in Sabah, Malaysia
Guslia LAHASING
Conservation & Science Officer of SWCS
Abstract: Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) is a non-governmental organization initiating in promoting wetlands conservation and awareness implemented through Kota Kinabalu Wetlands (KKW) as a model wetlands centre in Sabah. The SWCS management committee consists of elected members and ex-officio from relevant government agencies and WWF-Malaysia. Since 2010, SWCS also in collaboration with Sabah Forestry Department aim to conserve more degraded mangrove area around Sabah. KKW is a 24 hectares of mangrove area located within 2km north-east of Kota Kinabalu city. Due to the accessibility and its location within the urban area of Kota Kinabalu city, the conservation efforts to this natural ecosystem creates opportunities and pose a different challenges compared with remote areas. KKW was nominated as a Ramsar Site in 2013 and is currently pursuing Ramsar status as Wetlands of International Importance. This paper describes the crucial timeline of KKW, the introduction of SWCS management, efforts for biodiversity conservation and mangrove restoration, awareness activity through environmental education and voluntary programme as well as the achievements and challenges encountered over the past 20 years.
Key words: Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, Environmental Education Programme, Ramsar, Mangrove Restoration.
1．KOTA KINABALU WETLANDS (KKW) the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands on 1st August 2006. This In the late 1980＇s, a group of environmentalist change was to reflect the overall values of the place and from WWF discovered a mangrove swamp in Likas while placing greater emphasis on the conservation of and lobbied for the area to be converted for protection. wetlands. During the time, there were 220 houses built illegally in the area of the mangroves which led to the loss of KKW was managed by the Likas Wetlands mangrove habitats, waste disposal problems and low Sanctuary Management Committee (LWSMC) water quality caused by pollution. Now, this area is before it was officially taken over by Sabah Wetlands known as the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands (KKW), a 24 Conservation Society (SWCS) on 20 January 2006. hectares of mangrove swamp. Then in September 1996, KKW is managed by 6 full time staff, who are it was designated as a Bird Sanctuary in September responsible for managing daily activities at the wetlands 1996 under the custody of Sabah Wildlife Department, including 1 volunteer from Japan Oversea Corporation and was declared as a State Cultural Heritage Site in Volunteer (JOCV) - they consist of the Manager / 1998 towards wetlands conservation in Sabah. It was Executive Secretary, Conservation & Science Officer, previously known as Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary Environmental Education Officer, Conservation & (KKCBS) and went through a name change to become Education Assistant, Administrative & Account Assistant
Guslia LAHASING （Received:January 30，2017）
45 Guslia LAHASING and Ground Worker. KKW is opened from 0800 - 1800 in Sabah. These unique natural landscapes give tourists from Tuesday until Sunday and is closed on Mondays, a pleasant experience, to enjoy fresh air and tranquillity. except for public holidays. Since its official opening in March 2000 up to December 2016, KKW has received more than 160,000 local and Acting as a green lung and buffer zone for international visitors including from various countries. the city, it is strategically located in the heart of Kota KKW support abundant aquatic life and other wildlife Kinabalu City which made it highly accessible and including more than 92 species of residential and affordable for both local and international tourists thus migratory birds and 32 species of pure mangroves becoming one of the destinations of tourist attractions species and mangrove associates.
Fig.1 Location of Kota Kinabalu Wetlands in Sabah, Malaysia.
living organism found in them; 2．SABAH WETLANDS CONSERVATION (ii) To raise public awareness and appreciation of the SOCIETY (SWCS) wetlands and public involvement in protecting Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) wetlands; is a non-profit organization based in Kota Kinabalu (iii) To manage Kota Kinabalu Wetlands as a model City, which advocates environmental conservation wetland centre for the purpose of conservation, and awareness of wetlands ecosystem found in Sabah. education, recreation, tourism and research. The vision of SWCS is“ conservation and sustainable management of Sabah＇s Wetlands”． Derived from the SWCS is managed by 18 management vision, the mission of SWCS is“ to ensure protection and committee members from relevant government agencies wise use of all wetlands in Sabah, through education, viz. Ministry of Local Government & Housing, Kota research and advocacy”． Formed on 22nd August 2005, Kinabalu City Hall, Sabah Wildlife Department, SWCS was entrusted by the Sabah Wildlife Department Environment Protection Department, Sabah Education to manage KKW in 2006 with the aim for it to operate Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage and independently as a self-sustainable centre. local NGO (i.e. WWF- Malaysia).
SWCS has three objectives which are: 3．MANGROVE RESTORATION (i) To promote the conservation of wetlands in Sabah Mangrove plays a decisive role in environmental and the variety of plants, birds and other kinds of conservation. This is a special part of the ecosystem
46 Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) Commitment on Wetlands Conservation in Sabah, Malaysia where land and water meets and is a source of mangrove swamp due to encroachment by illegal settlers biodiversity. In Sabah, total area of mangrove vegetation in KKW. More than 10,000 seedlings have been planted within forest reserve is approximately 338,000 ha or 60% in KKW by volunteers since year 2000. When the of the country＇s total. Based on the latest assessment of restoration activities conducted in KKW were a success, forest cover in Sabah, about 3,300 hectares of mangrove SWCS plan to embark on restoration of degraded forest have been illegally encroached and exploit (source: mangrove sites throughout Sabah. Sabah Forestry Department). Therefore, restore and conserve mangrove forest is the core solution in keeping In 2010, SWCS signed a Memorandum of our planet green. Understanding (MoU) with Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) to rehabilitate 7.41 hectares of degraded mangrove For SWCS, it has been challenging years to area at the Sulaman Lake Forest Reserve (SLFR), Tuaran, restore the degraded mangroves and arising awareness Sabah Malaysia. Within 5 years, more than 25,000 trees among the public despite the society＇s unstable financial have been planted at the area. Later in 2015, the MoU situation. When KKW was first established, mangrove was extended to another 5 years to conserve another 3.11 replanting was the priority to restore the badly degraded hectares of degraded mangrove area.
Fig. 2 Rhizophora apiculata planted by SWCS in Sulaman Lake Forest Reserve, Tuaran, Sabah, Malaysia
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4．NOMINATION AS A RAMSAR SITE ⅰ．Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus), Malaysia presently has 6 sites designated as Wetlands of listed in the 2010 IUCH red List as“ Vulnerable” International Importance, with a surface area of 134,158 ⅱ．Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes), listed in hectares, in which 4 wetlands are in Peninsular Malaysia, the 2010 IUCN Red List as“ vulnerable” and 1 in Sarawak and 1 in Sabah. Of these, Sabah has the Appendix 1 of the CMS. largest Ramsar Site located in the Lower Kinabatangan ⅲ．Berus Mata Buaya (Bruguiera hainesii), listed in Segama Wetlands with the area coverage of 78,803 the IUCN Red List as“ Critical Endangered”. hectares. Criteria 3: Wetlands of international importance Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society has supports populations of plant and/or animal species initiated the proposal to attain Ramsar Site status for important the biological diversity of a particular KKW. The Minister of tourism, Culture and Environment biogeographic region. Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Masidi Haji Manjun, expressed his utmost support towards the proposal KKW supports 32 species of pure mangrove plants during World Wetlands Day celebration on 2009. This and mangrove associates besides a large diversity of was then coordinated by SWCS in collaboration with animals including more than 92 species of resident the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC) and now Sabah and migratory birds, various reptilian species such Natural Resources Office (NRO) as the new focal point as monitor lizards and mangroves skinks, piscine for Ramsar at the State level. The nomination has been species including mud skippers, archerfish, catfish facilitated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and and halfbeak, many crustacean species such as mud Environment Malaysia as the administrative authority lobster and fiddler crab. (National Focal Point) and communicates with the Ramsar Secretariat for any inquiries or requirement Criteria 8: Wetlands international importance due to its regarding the nomination. role of as a source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks, Due to its importance as wetlands ecosystem either within the wetlands or elsewhere, depend. with significant conservation and socio-economic value, the KKW application was submitted for recognition KKW is an important spawning and nursery ground as the second Ramsar Site in Sabah as it fulfils 3 listed for fish, prawn and crab. It is also an important criteria out of the 9 criteria as follows: stipulated under feeding ground for water birds as well as canopy the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, birds. Migratory birds such as sandpipers, red called the Ramsar Convention. shanks and snipes use the site as a rest place in their migration path. Criteria 2: Wetlands of international importance supporting vulnerable, endangered, or critically 5 ． ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION endangered species or threatened ecological PROGRAMME (EEP) & ENVIRONMENTAL communities. VOLUNTARY WORK (EVW) Since 2003 until 2015, more than 50,000 KKW recorded 2 protected species of birds and 1 students have participated in the Environmental critical endangered mangrove species: Education Programme (EEP) and Environmental
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Voluntary Work (EVW). A number of EE programmes This programme allowed participants contribute in line with SWCS objectives were developed, mainly to back to the wetlands - after guided walks in the raise public awareness and appreciation of the importance mangroves, they will experience the mangrove of wetlands as well as to promote public involvement tree replanting activity. This has proven to be an in protecting the wetlands. These include international excellent opportunity for those interested in getting participation from Japan, Sweden, Singapore and many closer to the mangroves. more through their existing EE Programme. ⅲ Mangrove Voluntary Work: This programme offers the community an KKW also has a programme with local schools opportunity to play a role in supporting the and communities through the outreach program; via conservation of KKW in mangrove clean up or this activity, KKW is able to spread public awareness nursery work. and appreciation of the wetlands through talks and ⅳ Mangrove Handcrafting Programme: motivational camps. This is one of the programmes This program is in support of efforts to recycle, conducted by KKW to share the importance and where participants learn how to recycle used paper crucial facts about wetlands to the public. On an annual and produce creative handmade products, i.e. photo basis, KKW celebrates World Wetlands day, World frame, greetings card and others. Environment Day and Malaysia Environment Week, as part of their effort to increase awareness among the 5.2 Voluntary Guardian (VG) community. The Voluntary Guardian (VG) was first establish on 2002 and it has been introduced back during World Wetlands Day 2016 celebration. The members of VG are came from different background including from professional to secondary students. This programme offering the community an opportunity to take an active role in supporting and promoting the care for natural heritage. Currently, 128 people have registered as a member of VG.
6．ACHIEVEMENT OF KOTA KINABALU Fig.3 The number of participants in Environmental Education Programme and Environmental Voluntary Work since 2003 until WETLANDS 2015. KKW is heading towards its goal as a model wetland centre involved in the conservation, 5.1 Daily Programme Conducted at KKW education, tourism and research activities. Currently, it Among the programmes carried out in KKW is considered as a well-managed wetlands reserve that are; serves as a model for mangrove conservation in an urban ⅰ Mangrove Experiences Programme: environment. The main activity in this programme is to introduce wetlands through interpretative walks into the From the environmental conservation mangroves, where participants can appreciate the perspective, KKW has achieved remarkable success in various types of flora and fauna. fulfilling its responsibilities. Among its achievements ⅱ Mangrove Conservation Programme: since it was established are:
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Fig.4 Activities conducted with Voluntary Guardian members.
ⅰ It is ranked by Sabah Wetlands inventory human. It has become a major source of interest to the of 1986 as the top most important wetlands professional and the public, but at times has often been habitat in Sabah to“… water birds significant regarded as wastelands, with some of the biggest abuses interest combined with accessibility making it put on it observed. ideal for educational tourist development”. ⅱ Received the Sabah Environmental Award Over the years, it has been very challenging 2011 for Outstanding Non-Governmental year for SWCS, particularly in the conservation efforts Organization Award. to restore the degraded mangroves areas or to raise ⅲ Recognition by Sabah Government as “Pejabat awareness among the public. Other key challenges faced Tanpa Sampah” in 2012 - 2013. by SWCS are as follows; ⅳ Nomination as the second Ramsar Site in Sabah in 2013. ⅰ Insufficient and discontinuous sources of ⅴ Successfully organized the 3-in-1 fundraising funding required to manage these urban events; Fundraising Dinner, Fundraising Golf wetlands as well as to carryout research upon Tournament and International Symposium on which conservation and protection strategies Conservation and Management of Wetlands in are based upon. 2014. ⅵ Successfully organized the 2nd International ⅱ Manpower shortage is one of the most serious Symposium on Conservation & Management problems that tend to affect the daily operation of Wetlands, 2016 (ISCMW 2016) adversely besides delaying even the disposal of urgent cases. What is also a matter of 7．THE CHALLENGES concern is that it seriously restricts the scope Wetlands have been internationally recognised for taking up new activities, which is not only as a valuable ecosystem for wildlife and utilisation by inevitable at times, but it could also be critical
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requirement to fulfil growing information the aquatic resources which serves as food for needs. KKW is currently operating with a the resident and migratory birds. minimum of 6 staffs that required to do multi- task, such as publicity, technician, security Reference guard, maintenance, account, daily cleaning, Dirk DS (2014) A Preliminary Study on Bee- CSR and funding etc. It is, however, important Hymenoptera;Apoidea, Wasps- Hymenoptera; Vespoidea and hoverflies-Diptera; Syrphidae in the Kota Kinabalu to note that it is not just the mere manpower Wetlands. Hogent Nature En Techniek. shortage that is responsible for inadequate Guslia L, Jane J, Aan A (2015) The Importance of Wetlands output or inefficient service delivery process in Sustainable Water Management. Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society. but the quality of personnel as well as the Guslia L, Rita I, Aan A (2015) Kota Kinabalu Wetlands working environment is also important to Towards Its Ramsar Status. Sabah Wetlands Conservation improve the output. Society Jocelyn M (2007) Enviromental Education for Sustainable Development- Conservation of Coastal Ecosystem for ⅲ KKW experiencing rapid growth and Lives of Local Communities Report. Sabah Wetlands encroachment from land developers. Many Conservation Society. Lee KH (2011) Mangrove Fauna and Their Adaptations in the of these communities are confronted with the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, Sabah Society Journal, 28, 15-22. tough issue of preserving the quality of the Lee KH, Zainie AA (2012) Wetlands Conservation Through environment, while at the same time allowing education and Restoration in Sabah, Malaysia. Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, Kota Kinabalu. development to occur. SWCS supports Ramsar World Wetlands Day 2015 Handouts.
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