Pin Supu Forest Reserve in Sabah earns IUCN Green List award

The Star

a day ago

Tungog Lake, located in Batu Puteh within the Pin Supu Forest Reserve, is a vital freshwater ecosystem surrounded by lowland rainforest, playing a key role in local biodiversity and community-based ecotourism. - Photo credit Mazidi Abd Ghani, WWF-Malaysia
KOTA KINABALU: The recent IUCN Green List award for the Pin Supu Forest Reserve (PSFR) in Kinabatangan, Sabah, showcases how local governments can achieve significant milestones by collaborating with communities in conservation efforts.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia announced that this International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List status, awarded in May to the country's first terrestrial protected area, serves as a model for inclusive and practical conservation.
WWF-Malaysia's Elyrice Alim, site mentor for PSFR's Green List journey, emphasized that the IUCN Green List is more than just a label—it reflects a well-managed protected area grounded in strong relationships with local communities, rights-holders, and civil society.
"What makes Pin Supu Forest Reserve truly special is the community's active involvement from the beginning, including in co-developing the first management plan," she said.
WWF-Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Sophia Lim echoed this sentiment, stating that the IUCN Green List is a testament to the commitment to conserving biodiversity while supporting economic growth and social inclusion.
She highlighted the partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department and KOPEL as inspiring, representing over two decades of dedicated, community-driven conservation. KOPEL is a local community cooperative that promotes sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism and conservation.
"We hope to see more protected and conserved areas across Malaysia achieve this global standard," Lim said, adding that this milestone highlights the success of local collaboration and places this forest reserve alongside some of the world's best-managed Protected Areas.
Building on this momentum, Tun Mustapha Park (TMP)—one of Sabah's iconic marine protected areas, managed by Sabah Parks—is now preparing for its IUCN Green List evaluation.
This process involves assessing how well the park is managed and protected to meet international standards, reflecting Sabah's ongoing, collective commitment to conservation excellence.
Lim remarked that the recognition of Pin Supu Forest Reserve on the IUCN Green List marks a landmark moment for conservation in Sabah and Malaysia, made possible through the dedication of multiple partners.
As the implementing partner of the IUCN Green List programme in Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia supports nationwide promotion, coordination, and technical facilitation of the Green List process, aiding current and future efforts by protected areas working towards this recognition.
Prior to this, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA) also received its accreditation in May 2022.
PSFR's inclusion on the list demonstrates its exemplary commitment to biodiversity conservation, effective management, and inclusive, community-based approaches.
Located in the middle of the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah's Kinabatangan District, Pin Supu Forest Reserve spans 4,696 hectares, featuring diverse lowland forest types, oxbow lakes, and a complex limestone karst system of caves. It plays a vital role in maintaining connectivity within the broader Lower Kinabatangan floodplain ecosystem.
It is currently the only forest area in Sabah managed in partnership with a local community, where meaningful participation is recognised as a key priority.