the babagon catchment

The Babagon Catchment area in Sabah plays a crucial role in providing water supply to Greater Kota Kinabalu, contributing 57% of its water resources. However, this vital ecosystem is facing degradation due to various factors. To address this issue, a pilot project has been designed to restore the water catchment area using a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) approach. The project aims to combine local sustainable development with watershed conservation efforts.

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Project Objectives:

• Restore and conserve the Babagon Catchment area through tree planting and ecological planning

• 2. Engage and build the capacity of Babagon catchment communities in sustainable restoration practices.

• 3. Encourage urban water users to appreciate and protect the environmental services provided by the catchment through educational ecotourism and voluntary participation in restoration activities.

• 4. Establish a successful model of PES for green infrastructure investment applicable in other parts of Malaysia.

 

Project Components:

1. Capacity Building and Citizen Science:

Conduct training sessions for Babagon catchment communities on sustainable restoration practices and tree planting techniques.
Engage community members in citizen science initiatives to monitor the progress of restoration efforts.

2. Tree Planting and Restoration:

Implement physical restoration efforts by planting trees in degraded areas of the catchment.
Work with local communities to restore and rehabilitate five hectares of the catchment in the first year.

3. Educational Ecotourism:

Develop educational ecotourism programs to raise awareness about the importance of the Babagon Catchment and its ecosystem services.
Encourage visitors to actively participate in restoration activities during their ecotourism experiences.

4. Infrastructure Development:

Invest in the necessary infrastructure for the successful implementation of restoration and educational activities in the catchment area.

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Project Success Indicators:

1. Forest Restoration: Measure the progress of tree planting and restoration efforts in terms of the number of trees planted, survival rate, and overall forest cover improvement.

2. Entrepreneurial Hosting Capacities: Evaluate the ability of local communities to host visitors and ecotourism activities, contributing to their economic development.

3. Lessons Learned: Assess the challenges faced during project implementation and document valuable lessons that can be applied to similar initiatives in the future.

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The funds from this partnership will be allocated towards various project components, including capacity building, tree planting and restoration, educational ecotourism, and necessary infrastructure development. This project also represents a valuable opportunity for CIMB Islamic to engage its EcoSave account holders in supporting environmental conservation efforts and promoting sustainability.

The Babagon Catchment restoration project represents a unique opportunity to combine environmental conservation efforts with sustainable development practices. By engaging local communities, urban water users, and partnering with organizations like CIMB Islamic, this pilot project aims to establish a successful model for payments for ecosystem services and encourage future investments in green infrastructure throughout Malaysia. 

 

 

More info at Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Project.