Community Patrolling On The High Seas
Honorary Park Wardens will be the local eyes and ears in protecting the proposed Tun Mustapha Park writes Nadiah Rosli Study after study have attested to the rich biodiversity found along the shorelines of Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas District in the northern region of Sabah. With over 50 islands and islets, this area which spans close to one million hectares of coral reef, mangrove, seagrass and productive fishing grounds has been earmarked for the proposed Tun Mustapha Park (TMP). In 2003, TMP was proposed by the State Government of Sabah shortly after it was recognised as a globally significant priority marine conservation area. It will be the country’s largest multiple-use park and second largest in Southeast Asia. Once gazetted, TMP will be evidence of Malaysia’s commitment to the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security and contribution towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Target. However, TMP is more than a collection of impressive sci