KOTA KINABALU: Deep within Sabah’s hidden valley of Imbak Canyon, a resource and wildlife survey is being conducted with the aim of uncovering new insights and revealing untapped horizons.
The survey, conducted from Sept 3 to Sept 15, hopes to offer a fresh perspective on the region’s abundant natural resources and diverse wildlife in the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) in Sabah’s central Tongod district.
Yayasan Sabah director Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar said Imbak Canyon is one of Sabah's last substantial unlogged lowland dipterocarp forests and serves as an important water catchment area for the state’s longest river - the Kinabatangan River.
Beyond its hydrological significance, Imbak Canyon functions as an indispensable wildlife corridor, bridging the Danum Valley and Maliau Basin, he added.
It is a sanctuary for endangered giants such as the Bornean pygmy elephant, Orang Utan, and the elusive clouded leopard, he said.
Gulamhaidar said the area plays a crucial role in forest restoration, acting as a gene bank for regenerating degraded areas.
“With the expiration of the ICCA Strategic Management Plan in 2023, it is imperative to acquire the most current data on resources and wildlife abundance,” he said.
He said this survey is poised to provide crucial, up-to-date insights into the biodiversity of flora, fauna, and animal species within the ICCA and its surrounding areas, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive successor plan that will advance future conservation initiatives.
Gulamhaidar said the survey’s objectives include compiling essential data for the ICCA Strategic Management Plan, documenting wildlife abundance and distribution, and assessing potential threats such as poaching, forest fires, and the impact of surrounding land use.
“Beyond conservation, the survey will also explore the area’s potential for tourism development prospects and identify research questions for future explorations,” he said, adding that this survey is the second iteration, following the initial study conducted in 2012.
He said they aim to examine every facet comprehensively this round with the participation of over 150 people including researchers, government officials and support personnel.
Seven campsites have been identified for the survey and participants have been allocated to ensure comprehensive coverage within a 2km radius of each campsite, said Gulamhaidar.
Spearheaded by the Sabah Wildlife Department, the organising committee comprises Yayasan Sabah Group, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Parks, WWF-Malaysia, Sabah Environmental Trust and various universities such as the Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Universiti Teknologi Mara, he said.
He said a seminar to showcase the findings will be planned after the survey concludes.
“We aim to substantially evaluate the data gathered. This will be achieved through a collaborative approach, ensuring diverse perspectives for the benefit of both the environment and people,” said Gulamhaidar.
