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Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve

MAN AND BIOSPHERE (MAB) PROGRAMME

The largest terrestrial protected area in Sabah and serves as a vital water catchment area for five major river systems that support over 1 million people.

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Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve

Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve (CRBR) located near the south of the World Heritage Site Mount Kinabalu, is the biggest biosphere reserve in Sabah covering about 350,584 hectares of terrestrial ecosystems and natural landscapes. The rocky topography of the Biosphere Reserve constitutes solely of mountains, hills and small basins and small basins dissected by deep river valleys.

The CRBR initiative is one of the initiatives of the Sabah State Government, Malaysia to contribute in global efforts to address economic issues, education, scientific research, cultural science, and recreation of the world’s population. By integrating stakeholders in the programmes, the CRBR hopes to help local towns enhance their economies in areas of tourism, education, and culture/heritage.

About six permanent plots has been set up around Crocker Range used for ecological monitoring where about 300 floral species were successfully listed in an inventory including two endemic Rafflesia species. In terms of fauna, the number of species recorded in Crocker Range Park and its surrounding area includes: 101 mammals, 259 birds, 47 reptiles, 63 amphibians, and 42 freshwater fish. The Crocker Range is also the habitat of several endangered species, like the Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), and the clouded leopard. A separate research site is also established in the Mount Alab substation used to monitor the weather and rainfall rate which is important to detect changes in climate as well as provide data to input in models for future predictions.

350,584 HECTARES

The Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve spans an area of 350,584 hectares, making it the largest terrestrial protected area in Sabah.

3 MAJOR RIVER SYSTEMS

The reserve is the source of 5 major river systems that provide water to over 1 million people in Sabah.

3 INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

The reserve supports 3 main indigenous communities—the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, and Lundayeh—who practice sustainable lifestyles and maintain cultural traditions.

SINCE 2014

It was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2014, the second in Malaysia after Tasik Chini.