This chapter explores Indigenous knowledge systems and traditional practices in forest conservation in Sabah, Malaysia. It highlights how Indigenous communities manage natural resources through customary laws, spiritual beliefs, and practices such as rotational agriculture, resource-use restrictions, and community-based governance. The chapter emphasizes the importance of traditional knowledge, community mapping, and protocols in sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. While these practices contribute significantly to conservation, Indigenous communities face ongoing challenges related to land tenure insecurity, governance conflicts, cultural erosion, and limited recognition of customary rights in formal legal systems.
This work is licensed under CC-BY 4.0
This work is licensed under CC-BY 4.0
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Publication year
2026
Authors
Sabiah, N.; Losimbang, D.; Voon Oi, L.C.; Thomas, G.J.
Language
English
Keywords
agroecosystems, community forestry, customary law, forest conservation, indigenous knowledge, indigenous peoples, land management, land tenure, livelihoods, natural resources management, rural communities
Source
Forest Governance and Social Forestry in Sabah, Malaysia: Context, actors and institutions. CIFOR-ICRAF: Bogor, Indonesia and Nairobi, KenyaGeographic
Malaysia
