Sabah Forests 2026 — Forest Cover, Deforestation & TPA

Forest Cover & Conservation Status

Sabah\u2019s forests are among Borneo\u2019s most biodiverse ecosystems, spanning from lowland dipterocarp forests (now 25–30% remaining) to montane cloud forests at higher elevations. The state\u2019s 4.6 million hectares of remaining forest represents a significant loss from pre-industrial cover. However, the 2026 achievement of 30% Totally Protected Area (2.23M hectares) has stabilized the core forest network.

Forest types include:

• Primary lowland dipterocarp forest: The most biodiverse but most endangered. Only 25–30% remains. Giant hardwoods over 60m tall once dominated; selective logging removed the largest trees.
• Hill dipterocarp forest (500–1,500m): Approximately 35% of historical extent remains. More intact than lowland forests but increasingly fragmented.
• Montane forest (1,500–3,500m): Cloud forests and ericaceous shrublands. Better preserved (~40% cover); less economically valuable for logging.
• Peat swamp forest: Critically endangered. Highly carbon-rich; vulnerable to drainage and conversion. Only ~15% of Sabah\u2019s original peat forest remains.

Primary deforestation causes:

• Selective logging (35%): Timber extraction under forest concessions. Harvest cycles are 25–40 years, but habitat degradation is permanent — canopy gaps trigger secondary growth, wildlife habitat quality declines.
• Plantation conversion (25%): Oil palm is the primary target. Conversion is often permanent — once cleared for plantations, reforestation to natural forest is rare.
• Agricultural expansion (15%): Smallholder farming (cocoa, rubber, fruit), often on forest margins.
• Infrastructure (15%): Roads, hydro dams (Bakun, Murum), mining access. Infrastructure fragments habitat and opens forest to illegal access.
• Settlement & development (7%): Urban expansion, resettlement schemes.

Protected Forest Network

The 30% TPA achievement (Feb 2026) consolidates Sabah\u2019s forest protection into a network of interconnected reserves and corridors:

• National Parks: Kinabalu Park (754 km²), Crocker Range (1,399 km²), and others protect primarily intact or restored forests with strict no-logging policies.
• Forest Reserves: Approximately 850,000 hectares managed for sustainable timber production by Sabah Forestry. Harvest rotations are 25–40 years; some reserves are recovering after logging.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries & Conservation Areas: Danum Valley (43,800 ha), Maliau Basin (58,800 ha) — primarily research and conservation zones with limited timber extraction.
• Wildlife Corridors: Ulu Segama Malua (550,000 hectares) connects isolated reserves, enabling species migration and genetic exchange across the landscape.

However, forest fragmentation remains a critical threat. Protected areas function as islands in a landscape dominated by plantations and logged-over forest. Edge effects (hunting pressure, invasive species, temperature changes) reduce habitat quality even within reserves. Connectivity through corridors is essential to buffer against these stressors.

Restoration & Reforestation Programs

Major restoration initiatives:

• Sabah Biodiversity Centre: Native tree reforestation, focusing on endemic and endangered species. Emphasis on restoration corridors. Target: 20,000 hectares.
• HUTAN Riparian Restoration: Recovery of Kinabatangan River floodplain forests. Critical habitat for proboscis monkeys, elephants, birds. Target: 15,000 hectares along river corridors.
• Sabah Softwoods Industrial Plantation: Mixed model — industrial timber zones paired with native forest reserves. Target: 30,000 hectares blending economic productivity with conservation.
• Community Forestry: Local participation in replanting and forest management. Improves livelihood linkages to conservation. Target: 18,000 hectares.

Despite these efforts, restoration pace lags deforestation rates. Annual net forest loss in unprotected areas is estimated at 0.5–1.0%, while restoration projects typically establish only 2,000–3,000 hectares annually. The gap must be closed through stronger protection and enforcement rather than relying solely on restoration.

REDD+ and Carbon Finance

REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus conservation and sustainable management) is a global mechanism that pays regions to protect forests instead of clearing them. Sabah participates in the Katingan Mentaya reference project, which generates carbon credits from avoided deforestation. Revenue supports:

• Forest protection and enforcement: Ranger patrols, boundary demarcation, monitoring technology.
• Community livelihoods: Alternative income for forest-dependent communities (e.g., eco-tourism, sustainable harvesting).
• Restoration and habitat recovery: Funding for native species replanting and corridor creation.

REDD+ makes standing forests economically competitive with timber extraction and plantations. However, carbon prices remain volatile, and long-term financing is uncertain. Combining REDD+ with protected area designation and enforcement is most effective.

Frequently asked questions