Urban Forestry &

Its Relevance to Tourism Development in Sabah

byY.F. Lee, J. Ligunjang & S.C. Yong

Forestry Department, Sabah, Malaysia

作者 :

李妍樺J. Ligunjang

楊思澄

ASEM Symposium on Urban Forestry, China, Nov-Dec 2004

This presentation…..

Definition of Urban Forestry Benefits of Trees & Forests in Urban Areas Urban Centres in Sabah Urban Forestry Potential under Different

Conditions Current Status of Urban Forestry in Sabah Relationship of Urban Forestry to Tourism Closing Notes

What is Urban Forestry ?

Urban settlements > 5,000 as urban centre (Hardoy &

Satterthwaite, 1986) > 20,000 as ‘urban’, > 100,000

(city), >5 million (big cities), United Nations (1991)

> 10,000 as urban centre (Sabah Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, ICZM)

is the planned, integrated & systematic approach to the management of trees in urban & peri–urban

areas for their contribution to the physiological, sociological and economic well-being of urban

society. Urban forestry is multifaceted; it deals with

woodlands, groups of trees, and individual trees where dense conglomerations of people live, involves

a wide variety of habitats (streets, parks, derelict corners, etc) & is concerned with a great range of

benefits & problems. (Carter,1995)

Urban Forestry

Benefits of Trees & Forests In Urban Areas…..

Environmental Materials Air pollution controlNoise pollution controlBeautification of towns & citiesSlope stabilisation & erosion controlShade & regulation of microclimateEnhancement of water infiltration into soilBiodiversity conservationProtection of water catchment

FoodFodderTimber, fuelwood & polesSpicesFibresMedicinesOthers non-timber products

Urban Centres in Sabah

Sabah:2.822 mil. population in a land area 73,620 km2 ; 38/km2 population density

15 towns/cities in Sabah:1.29 mil. or 45.6% of population

Malaysia: 62% urban population (2000)

Town/CityPopulation

1991Population

2000Population

2004

Kota Kinabalu  160,100  305,400  331,900

Sandakan  157,200  275,400  299,300

Tawau  124,700  213,900  232,500

Lahad Datu 45 100 74,600 81,100

Putatan   61,800 67,200

Donggongon   56,500 61,400

Keningau 16,100 43,900 47,700

Semporna   43,300 47,100

Kudat 21,900 26,700 29,100

Ranau 12,800 15,600 17,000

Kunak 11,000 15,600 17,000

Papar   15,200 16,500

Beaufort   12,500 13,600

Kinarut   12,400 13,500

Kota Belud   10,100 11,000

Total   1,182,900 1,285,900

Urban Forestry Potential under Different Conditions…

Urban forestry: not actively practised in Sabah, but it is instructive to evaluate the potential of urban forestry under different circumstances

Potential of urban forestry under different conditions of land cover (refer to Appendix 4)

The relationship of land ownership to access & the potential of establishing or maintaining urban forests & trees (refer to Appendix 5)

Current Status of Urban Forestry in Sabah…

Urban Centres recently established Urban forestry activities which have

been carried out are mainly confined to: Management of some forested land Planting & maintenance of ornamental

trees

Kota Kinabalu : Rainforest CitySandakan : Nature City Tawau : Planters’ Land (Bumi Peladang)

Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary

“Wetland-in-a-city” Located 2km from Kota Kinabalu

city centre Covers 24 ha mangrove forest Bird watching activities (over 83

species of birds) Education & public awareness 1.5km board walk (resting huts,

observation towers and outdoor classroom)

Managed by Likas Wetland Sanctuary Management Committee

Great Egret

Fiddler Crab

Mudskippers

1.5 board walk Back

SandakanRainforest Park

210 hectares & about 8km from Sandakan city centre

Type locality of more than 70 species of trees and other plants

Forest of very high scientific & historical value

Facilities:120 parking lots, 3 km of jogging trails/ bicycle track & administration building

Being planned: Observation towers, camping site, picnic ground, nature trails with pavilions, exhibition hall, visitors’ centre & interpretation centre

Managed by Sabah Forestry Department

Back

Gemok Hill Information Centre

In Gemok Hill Forest Reserve (virgin jungle) which covers 446 hectares & about 11 km from Tawau city centre.

Favourite activities: jungle trekking, hiking, camping & sightseeing.

Facilities: Canopy walkway, information centre, pavilions, staff quarters, children’s playground, nature trails, etc

Managed by Sabah Forestry Department

Relationship of Urban Forestry to Tourism…

Statistics of visitors to Sabah, 1999-2003

483,991

1,251,454

1,107,356

754,446

918,523

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Year

No.

Of V

isito

rs

Foreigner

Malaysian

Grand Total

Linear (Grand Total)

Relationship of Urban Forestry to Tourism…

Top 5 countries of origin of tourists Indonesia (34%), Philippines (25%), Taiwan /

Republic of China (24%), Brunei (11%) & Singapore (6%)

Target: 2.7 mil. arrivals (2007), 113% increase in 4 years

Estimated tourist receipt RM 2 billion (2004) One of the main reasons for tourists to come to

Sabah is to enjoy its nature and wildlife. Many of these ecotourist destinations in close

proximity to or within the urban centres, making Sabah “nature at the doorstep” for visitors to enjoy.

It is important for those aspects of urban forestry which support tourism, particularly ecotourism, to be given high priority & urgent attention.

Cities / towns which serve as gateway

to popular ecotourist destinations in Sabah City / Town Popular Ecotourist Destinations

Kota KinabaluTunku Abdul Rahman Marine ParkKinabalu ParkPoring Hot SpringRafflesia Information CentreCrocker Range National ParkKawang Recreational Forest

SandakanSepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre / Sepilok Forest ReserveLower Kinabatangan Wildlife SanctuaryGomantong CavesSelingan Turtle IslandsLankayan IslandLabuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

TawauMaliau BasinTawau Hill ParkSipadan IslandMadai Caves & Madai Waterfall

Lahad DatuDanum ValleyDarvel BayTabin Wildlife Reserve

亜庇

山打根

斗湖 拿篤

Cities / towns which serve as gateway to popular ecotourist destinations in Sabah

Closing Notes

Urban forestry is practised only to a limited extent in Sabah

Tourism is an important economic sector

With tourism high on the development agenda in Sabah, there is a need to promote urban forestry

Urban forestry provides locals & visitors the numerous social, environmental & economic benefits.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

•State Government of Sabah•Director of Forestry, Sabah•Organiser of ASEM Symposium on Urban Forestry, 2004

Thank you!