KOTA KINABALU: The proposal to turn Kinabatangan into a Biosphere Reserve, Man and Biosphere (MAB) will help the stakeholders to co-exist based on a common vision.
Sabah Biodiversity Centre secretary Dr Gerald Jetony said the Kinabatangan area was facing many "clashes" from plantation, tourism, wildlife and community activities.
"The move to register it as MAB is to create a common vision for all stakeholders to find win-win solutions, whereby sustainable development can happen on the landscape level.
"The areas will involve the wildlife sanctuary, along the river banks, forest and riparian reserve.
"However, it can only happen when there is support from the plantation (companies) so that we can create an enticing image that will benefit tourism.
"As for the local community, generally, they are supporting the move," he said when met at the Pre-Assessment Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve dinner at a hotel here last night.
Gerald added that preparing a detailed report had begun and would take up to two years.
Biosphere Reserves Capacity Building: MAB networking section chief Hans Thulstrup said for the processing of the new biosphere reserve, Unesco would require a detailed report of the site.
"In processing a new nomination of the biosphere reserve, Unesco would require, among others, information about the site, the way it is managed, who lives there and what they do and the biodiversity value.
"These things will have to be detailed and need to be submitted to Unesco through the national government. It is better to take time to ensure it is done right.
"The biosphere reserve is an international designation. In a way, it is a way to show that the site has values recognised and appreciated all over the world," he said, adding that it could benefit stakeholders in the long run.
Thulstrup, who was visiting the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve for the past few days, had also visited the state to experience Kinabatangan yesterday.
"I think there is a base for ecotourism there, so activities relate well to the biosphere reserve, which is there to show and improve the relationship between people and nature.
"It is also a site that is somewhat fragmented, that covers long spaces along the river. It sits within an area that is intensively used for agriculture.
"The challenge of creating and designing the biosphere reserve would be to find the way to connect and link those two things, which are the agricultural practice and the space for wildlife, the connectivity for wildlife, allowing the animals to move from one reserve to another."
Present at the dinner was Sabah Parks director Maklarin Lakim.