Kota Kinabalu: A scientific expedition will be carried out at the Darau River Basin in Manggatal to support sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH) Mayor, Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah, and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor, Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor, at a hotel here.
The agreement, aimed at establishing a sustainable living lab through innovation and engagement between KKCH and UMS, was witnessed by KKCH Director-General Datuk Lifred Wong and UMS Registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar.
“The area holds rich biodiversity and rural ecotourism potential, with activities including kayaking, river cruises, fishing, and Bajau Samah community homestay programmes,” said Dr Sabin.
This initiative aligns with KKCH’s development vision of transforming Kota Kinabalu into a green, smart and resilient city by 2030.
The living lab will integrate the roles of local authorities, academia, the community and the private sector to plan, implement and evaluate policies and development interventions, he said.
“Through this approach, the community is no longer merely a beneficiary, but an active implementation partner and stakeholder with a voice in shaping the development direction of their areas,” he added.
The expedition is expected to produce biodiversity mapping, species inventories, ecosystem impact analyses and action plans based on scientific data, he said.
As the capital city and main gateway to Borneo, Kota Kinabalu must emerge as a reference centre for sustainable development, said Dr Kasim.
“Together, we aim to unlock the potential of sustainable tourism in Sabah by promoting practices that benefit both the environment and local communities,” he said.
Since 2022, the area has been recognised as a hub for community-based tourism, particularly through the establishment of the Darau Wetland Eco-Tourism Homestay, he said.
“The data collected from this research will be documented and serve as a reference for KKCH and policymakers, especially the State Government, in planning and conserving the natural resources of the Darau River Basin.
“This initiative will also provide opportunities for local communities to gain valuable skills and knowledge in biodiversity, ecosystem management and socio-economic development, crucial for long-term sustainable growth,” he said.
