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Our News
Preserving Sabah's Mangroves
Crucial step for climate resilience and community well-being through the Sabah Mangrove Action Plan
Sabah's mangrove forests stretch along its dynamic coastlines and estuaries, with intricate root systems that play a vital role in protecting shorelines and nurturing diverse marine life. These are Sabah’s mangroves—ancient, biodiverse ecosystems that not only shelter rich marine and terrestrial life but also provide natural protection against climate impacts, absorb carbon, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities. With their beauty and ecological importance, these forests are one of Sabah’s natural treasures.
Wetlands, including mangroves, are a lifeline for biodiversity, climate resilience, and coastal communities.
© Mazidi Abd Ghani / WWF-Malaysia
© Mazidi Abd Ghani / WWF-Malaysia
Recognising the importance of mangroves, the Sabah State Government launched the Sabah Mangrove Action Plan (SMAP) late last year—a significant milestone reiterating its commitment to conserving and restoring these vital habitats. SMAP directly supports Sabah’s broader conservation goals: protecting 13% of its coastal marine areas through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)and maintaining 50% of its landmass under forest cover, placing nature at the centre of sustainable development. This also supports the global initiative to conserve at least 30% of the planet’s land, water, and coastal areas by 2030 (30x30), a crucial conservation target set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
With Sabah accounting for around 60% of Malaysia’s mangrove cover, SMAP has both local impact and national and global relevance. As a long-time conservation partner in the region, WWF-Malaysia welcomes and fully supports this critical step forward for climate resilience, biodiversity, and community well-being.
Why Mangroves Matter
Mangroves protect biodiversity, shield coastlines, and support local livelihoods by acting as natural barriers against storms and erosion. Their roots trap sediments, filter pollutants, and stabilise shores, making them vital for climate resilience. As efficient carbon sinks, mangroves and seagrass store large amounts of carbon, helping to mitigate global warming. Underwater, mangroves provide nurseries for key fish and crustacean species, sustaining fishing communities. In Sabah, approximately 48,000 people from 157 villages are estimated to rely on mangrove resources for their livelihoods, including food, materials, and cultural and economic support.Human activities and environmental pressures increasingly threaten Sabah’s mangrove and seagrass ecosystems. Poor land management and coastal development raise sedimentation and turbidity, harming water quality. Mangroves are cleared for agriculture, aquaculture, industry, housing, and infrastructure. Large projects like ports and jetties alter shorelines, while illegal bark harvesting kills trees. Climate change worsens these impacts by increasing heat stress, runoff, erosion, storms, and sea-level rise, adding pressure to these fragile habitats.
Mangrove resources, such as wood for firewood, support coastal communities' daily needs and livelihoods.
© Eric Madeja / WWF-Malaysia
© Eric Madeja / WWF-Malaysia
A renewed commitment: the Sabah Mangrove Action Plan
The Sabah Mangrove Action Plan (SMAP) represents a decade-long commitment to the sustainable management of one of Sabah’s most vital ecosystems. Designed to run from 2024 to 2033, the plan builds on existing state laws and biodiversity policies to provide a clear, coordinated framework for mangrove conservation. It addresses long-standing challenges by enhancing protection, improving how mangroves are managed, building climate resilience, and ensuring the well-being of communities that depend on these ecosystems.
At its core, SMAP acknowledges that effective mangrove conservation requires more than just setting aside protected areas. It calls for better coordination across the various agencies responsible for managing forests, fisheries, wildlife, and coastal development, while aligning local and state-level governance. The plan prioritises restoring degraded mangroves, particularly in vulnerable areas, and emphasises the need for sound, science-based restoration methods. Equally importantly, SMAP promotes inclusive approaches supporting sustainable community livelihoods, such as mangrove-based ecotourism, to reduce pressure on natural resources. By raising awareness and strengthening environmental stewardship, the plan offers a long-term, holistic approach to keeping Sabah’s mangroves intact and thriving for the future.
The Sabah Mangrove Action Plan puts local communities at the centre of conservation. SMAP supports community-based ecotourism as a sustainable livelihood option and promotes public access to mangrove data for transparency. It also empowers communities to manage and monitor mangrove areas by building capacity, appointing honorary rangers, and encouraging citizen science. These efforts ensure communities remain key partners in protecting Sabah’s mangroves.
While the Sabah Mangrove Action Plan offers a clear path forward, significant challenges remain, from securing adequate funding and effective enforcement to balancing economic development with conservation priorities. Success depends on strong support from both the public and private sectors and active community involvement. Protecting Sabah’s mangroves is a shared responsibility that benefits everyone, safeguarding biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and sustaining livelihoods.
SMAP is vital to closing the gap in Sabah’s ambitious goals of protecting its land and marine areas. By restoring and conserving these rich ecosystems, the plan aligns with national policies and global commitments like the 30x30 target under the Global Biodiversity Framework. This makes SMAP not just a local initiative but part of a worldwide effort to halt nature loss and secure a healthy, sustainable future.
At its core, SMAP acknowledges that effective mangrove conservation requires more than just setting aside protected areas. It calls for better coordination across the various agencies responsible for managing forests, fisheries, wildlife, and coastal development, while aligning local and state-level governance. The plan prioritises restoring degraded mangroves, particularly in vulnerable areas, and emphasises the need for sound, science-based restoration methods. Equally importantly, SMAP promotes inclusive approaches supporting sustainable community livelihoods, such as mangrove-based ecotourism, to reduce pressure on natural resources. By raising awareness and strengthening environmental stewardship, the plan offers a long-term, holistic approach to keeping Sabah’s mangroves intact and thriving for the future.
The Sabah Mangrove Action Plan puts local communities at the centre of conservation. SMAP supports community-based ecotourism as a sustainable livelihood option and promotes public access to mangrove data for transparency. It also empowers communities to manage and monitor mangrove areas by building capacity, appointing honorary rangers, and encouraging citizen science. These efforts ensure communities remain key partners in protecting Sabah’s mangroves.
While the Sabah Mangrove Action Plan offers a clear path forward, significant challenges remain, from securing adequate funding and effective enforcement to balancing economic development with conservation priorities. Success depends on strong support from both the public and private sectors and active community involvement. Protecting Sabah’s mangroves is a shared responsibility that benefits everyone, safeguarding biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and sustaining livelihoods.
SMAP is vital to closing the gap in Sabah’s ambitious goals of protecting its land and marine areas. By restoring and conserving these rich ecosystems, the plan aligns with national policies and global commitments like the 30x30 target under the Global Biodiversity Framework. This makes SMAP not just a local initiative but part of a worldwide effort to halt nature loss and secure a healthy, sustainable future.