Outsiders can’t apply for Kadamaian land
KOTA BELUD: State Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick revealed yesterday that he had barred “outsiders” from applying for land within the Kadamaian constituency in Kota Belud which he represents.
He said the decision was final and he had conveyed it to the Land and Survey Department and the Kota Belud district office.
“I am compelled to do this after I was told there are people who are not from this area trying to apply for land that has been segregated by Sabah Parks for the benefit of the people of Kampung Kiau,” he said.
The Kadamaian assemblyman said the Sabah government had segregated 1,200 acres or 485 hectares of Sabah Parks and handed the portion over to residents of Kampung Kiau in recognition of their ownership of the customary land within.
He said the area situated at the foot of Mount Kinabalu had been their native customary rights (NCR) land for many generations.
“For sustainability of the area, the villagers have agreed to set up a trust and initiate the community forest conservation system (tagal) for development of an ecotourism centre,” he said while launching the local Pesta Kaamatan at Dewan Budaya Kiau Nuluh here yesterday.
Ewon said the villagers had put the land to good use and turned it into an eco-tourism centre by developing a “tagal”, a communitybased forestry concept practised by the natives for generations.
Under the concept, the forest is left for a period of time and nobody is allowed to go hunting or forage for food there.
Harvesting of the forest’s produce is decided by the trustees who are appointed by the villagers.
Ewon hoped more villages in Sabah will adopt the “tagal” system on NCR land and enjoy the benefits of eco-tourism that come with it.
“The ownership, development and sustainability of native land through the forest ‘tagal’ concept are always welcomed by the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ewon said the Sabah government had allocated a grant of RM500,000 to the Kampung Kiau Nuluh Tradition and Nature Conservation Society (GOMPITO) here for developing tourism facilities.