Urban Forestry & Its Relevance to Tourism Development in Sabah

1. ASEM Symposium on Urban Forestry, China, Nov-Dec 2004 Urban Forestry &Its Relevance to Tourism Development in Sabah by Y.F. Lee, J. Ligunjang & S.C. Yong Forestry Department, Sabah, Malaysia 作者: 李妍樺 J. Ligunjang 楊思澄

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. Benefits of Trees & Forests In Urban Areas…..

6. 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. or45.6%of population • Malaysia: 62% urban population (2000)

7. Table 1. Population of cities / towns for past 15 years (World Gazetteer, 2004) Town/City Population 1991 Population 2000 Population 2004 KotaKinabalu 160,100 305,400 331,900 Sandakan 157,200 275,400 299,300 Tawau 124,700 213,900 232,500 LahadDatu 45100 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 KotaBelud 10,100 11,000 Total 1,182,900 1,285,900

8. Urban Forestry PotentialunderDifferent 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)

9. 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 City • Sandakan : Nature City • Tawau : Planters’ Land(Bumi Peladang)

10. “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 Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary Mudskippers Great Egret Fiddler Crab Back 1.5 board walk

11. 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

12. 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

13. Relationshipof Urban Forestry to Tourism…

14. Relationshipof 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.

15. Cities / towns which serve as gateway to popular ecotourist destinations in Sabah 亜庇 山打根 斗湖 拿篤

16. Cities / townswhich serve as gateway to popular ecotourist destinations in Sabah

17. 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.

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

19. Thank you!