the babagon catchment
The Babagon Catchment 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 Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) approach. The project aims to combine local sustainable development with watershed conservation efforts, while gradually strengthening community-led stewardship through ongoing restoration and ecotourism activities.
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Project Objectives:
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Restore and conserve the Babagon Catchment area through tree planting and ecological planning.
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Engage and build the capacity of Babagon catchment communities in sustainable restoration practices.
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Encourage urban water users to appreciate and protect the environmental services provided by the catchment through educational ecotourism and voluntary participation in restoration activities.
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Establish a successful model of PES for green infrastructure investment applicable in other parts of Malaysia.
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Project Components:
1. Capacity Building and Citizen Science
Training sessions are conducted for Babagon catchment communities on sustainable restoration practices and tree-planting techniques. Community members also participate in citizen science initiatives to monitor the progress of restoration efforts and document ecological changes. Over time, communities have strengthened their skills in planning, monitoring, hosting visitors, and engaging with government agencies, allowing for smoother and more effective implementation of activities.
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2. Tree Planting and Restoration
Physical restoration efforts involve planting trees in degraded areas of the catchment and working with local communities to restore and rehabilitate priority sites. Lessons from earlier phases have informed improved practices, including better site selection, more suitable planting schedules, and consistent maintenance. These refinements have resulted in noticeably healthier forest regrowth and stronger seedling survival, reflecting the community’s growing experience and adaptability to changing environmental conditions.
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3. Educational Ecotourism
Educational ecotourism programs raise awareness about the importance of the Babagon Catchment and its ecosystem services, with visitors encouraged to participate in restoration-related activities. Community-led upgrades to trails, visitor areas, and basic facilities have improved accessibility and increased visitation. Ecotourism activities are gradually becoming a meaningful supplementary livelihood for participating households, while also strengthening public appreciation for catchment protection.
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4. Infrastructure Development
Investments in infrastructure support restoration, educational activities, and ecotourism within the catchment area. Recent enhancements to community spaces, visitor amenities, and access points have enabled safer movement, better hosting capacity, and expanded opportunities for learning and recreation.
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Project Success Indicators:
1. Forest Restoration
Progress is measured through tree planting, survival rates, and overall forest recovery. Recent restoration phases have shown more stable outcomes, with healthier young forests emerging as a result of improved planning, adaptive strategies, and coordinated community maintenance.
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2. Entrepreneurial Hosting Capacities
The project evaluates the ability of local communities to host visitors and participate in ecotourism activities that contribute to their economic development. A growing number of households are now involved in guiding, hosting, and providing services, reflecting increasing confidence and capability in managing visitor experiences.
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3. Lessons Learned
Challenges encountered during implementation are continually assessed to inform future initiatives. Communities have learned to adapt their restoration strategies to unpredictable weather conditions, improve coordination, and manage changes in household participation. These experiences have strengthened long-term readiness for continued stewardship of the catchment.
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The funds from this partnership are 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.
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The Babagon Catchment restoration project represents a unique opportunity to combine environmental conservation 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. As the project progresses, community leadership, restoration outcomes, and ecotourism initiatives continue to strengthen, laying a solid foundation for long-term catchment protection.
