The following are excerpts from an article recently published in Pacos Trust's regular magazine Bisikan. Bisikan is distributed widely among indigenous communities throughout Sabah.

     Efforts are in the pipeline to address the conflict that arises following the gazetting of protected areas which for so long have been inhabited by indigenous communities.
     Known as Co-Management Learning Network (CMLN), the initiative’s main approach is to reach toward a win-win situation amongst stakeholders within the areas concerned.
     In the context of the State of Sabah, the protected area in question is the Crocker Range Park (CRP). Here, about 20 villages have been ‘trapped’ following the Government’s decision to gazette the precious area as a national park under the Parks Enactment.
     Consequently, the move has made it an offence for indigenous communities to inhabit the area.This apparently has stirred a conflict that is a burden to the communities who have lived for generations in the now gazetted area.
     The CMLN initiative strives to show that the communities’ existence within a protected area actually contributes to sustaining its bio-diversity which is the authorities’ concern and objective.
     Of the 20 villages within the CRP, two have been chosen for pilot CM activities. The areas are Ulu Senagang in Keningau and Kg Mongool in Tenom.
     This project is deemed important especially in view of the fact that the Sabah Parks are currently in the process of preparing a Park Management Plan and it is hoped that this will conform to the standards of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CDB).
     “As of now the project development looks positive. Obviously we still have a lot of work to do including a study on issues like the Community Use Zone (CUZ)..." said Adrian Lasimbang, the project local co-ordinator.
     The CUZ allows communities to remain within the protected park area. In line with all these efforts, the programme requires that grassroot communities too must develop the capacity as a credible stakeholder.
     “This is an important aspect that must be stressed to ensure the success of the whole project. The communities must be clear of the objectives and play their roles accordingly,” Adrian added.
Success or failure? Obviously it is too early to tell at this stage. But what is absolutely certain is that the CMLN has opened a new episode in relation to indigenous people’s affairs. For the first time in this country, a concrete effort has been taken to include their interest in the protection of areas deemed a national asset.