RM500,000 grant for KB village to boost tourism

KOTA BELUD: The State Government has allocated a grant of RM500,000 to the Kampung Kiau Nuluh Tradition and Nature Conservation Society (Gompito) here for developing tourism facilities.

According to State Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick who is also Kadamaian Assemblyman, the Sabah Government segregated 1,200 acres of Sabah Parks and handed the portion over to residents of Kampung Kiau in recognition of their ownership of the customary land within.

“For sustainability of the area, the villagers have agreed to set up a trust and initiate the community forest conservation system (tagal) for development of an ecotourism centre,” he said while launching the local Pesta Kaamatan at Dewan Budaya Kiau Nuluh, here.

Benedick said the villagers had put the land to good use and turned it into an eco-tourism centre by developing a “tagal”, a community-based forestry concept practised by the natives for generations.

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Under the concept, the forest is left for a period of time and nobody is allowed to go hunting or forage for food there.

Harvesting of the forest’s produce is decided by the trustees who are appointed by the villagers.

Benedick hoped more villages in Sabah will adopt the “tagal” system on NCR land and enjoy the benefits of eco-tourism that come with it.

“The ownership, development and sustainability of native land through the forest ‘tagal’ concept are always welcomed by the Government,” he said.

He also said he has barred outsiders from applying for land within the Kadamaian constituency.

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“The decision is final and I have conveyed it to the Land and Survey Department and the Kota Belud District Office.

“I am compelled to do this after I was told there are people who are not from this area trying to apply for land that has been segregated by Sabah Parks for the benefit of the people of Kampung Kiau,” he said.

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