KOTA KINABALU: The Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve will continue to be protected and managed with world-class management together with the local community.
Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim said the statutory body had made action plans under the 2015- 2025 Park Strategic Planning to give the community a chance to be part of developing the area.
"It is in line with Sabah Parks' vision which is: 'People of Sabah live in harmony with nature.'
"I believe with the support from stakeholders and the community, we will be able to benefit from the Unesco programme and obtain success according to the policy framed by the management," he said during the virtual launch of the 38th anniversary on the gazettement of Crocker Range Park.
In the 1980s, logging activity was rampant and threatened the water reservoir that became the main supply for the population in the west coast of Sabah.
The range spans eight districts with an area of 139,919 hectare, twice the size of Singapore, gazetted as a park under the Parks Enactment 1984.
In June 12, 2014, the range and its surrounding areas with 350,584 hectare were declared as Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve under the Unesco's Man and the Biosphere programme.
Maklarin said those achievements were not possible without drastic moves and efforts from many stakeholders.
Following the gazettement, Sabah Parks had hired private surveyors in marking the 450 kilometres border for better enforcement that saw less encroachment.
Sabah Parks also held a large-scale scientific expedition based at Mahua station in Tambunan in 1999 with more than 700 scientists and sociologists conducting studies.
In 2002, the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation Programme or 'BBEC' began with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that produced the management plan on conservation, research, observation and environmental education, as well as the setting up of seven substations and two control posts.
Apart from that, there are also 13 action plans enlisted in Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve Management Plan that have been formulated to achieve objectives on biodiversity protection, sustainable development, research and education, as well as community's eco-tourism activities by 2029.
"Today's celebration is to give an opportunity to all of us, particularly the staff of Sabah Parks, to look back on the bittersweet events, successes in the form of opportunities and also challenges for the past 38 years, of the Crocker being protected.
"Let us live in harmony with to ensure it stays for another 1,000 years more."