Mount Kinabalu National Park Borneo 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study Introduction Mount Kinabalu National Park is located in the Northern Sabah region of Borneo. It was one of the first national parks opened in Borneo in 1964. It covers an area of 754km² 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study Location of the park The park headquaters itself are located at 1,585m above sea level. It is 83km from the city of Kota Kinabalu. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study What makes it special The obvious attraction is the mountain itself as it is one of the easiest mountains to climb. With many people climbing it to watch the sunrise at the peak. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study Continued… The mountain is famous for its many carnivorous plant and orchid species, most notably Nepenthes rajah. Its is also home to a multitude of endemic animal species, including the Kinabalu Giant Red Leech and Kinabalu Giant Earthworm. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study History In 1851 Sir Hugh Low, then the Colonial Secretary for the British crown colony of Labuan, was the first person to climb the mountain. It took him nine days to reach the summit plateau, travelling in a group of 42 people. The summit of the mountain is now known as Lows Peak, although Low reached the summit plateau, he did not reach the peak that now bears his name. John Whitehead was the first person to reach the summit in 1888. Lows Peak 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study Tourists Most tourists who visit the park come to admire the mountain, try the shorter trails around the park and some attempt the summit trail. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study Continued… Within the last few years an increasing number of people have come to enjoy more strenuous activities, including the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon, mountain running and mountain biking. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study Problems for the park Illegal activities in remote areas are a cause of concern for visitor safety and potential conversion of native vegetation to drug crops. Illegal hunting of endangered, or protected, wildlife is especially difficult to control in rugged remote topography. It has also become evident that in some areas of the lower slopes tree felling has occurred to make space for agricultural land. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

Sustainable development The mountain is the main attraction to the area and as long as it stands people will want to come to see it. Management have tried to improve the summit trail so that the chance of injury can be reduced i.e. putting in more banisters on steeper parts, widening the steps and in some cases putting steps in. The involvement of the local community with the park keeps the relationship with local people harmonious and also helps to bring business to them if the park carries on being successful. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study

National Park Case Study Facts & Figures In 2004 more than 415,360 visitors and 43,430 climbers visited the Park. Only 10% of the annual visitors reach the summit of the mountain. More the 250 bird varieties have been recorded. Several bird varieties including the Mountain Bush Warbler, Kinabalu friendly Warbler, palefaced Bilbul and Mountain Blackeyes. Daily temperature here varies from 20 degrees centigrade to 13 degrees at night. The park headquaters itself are located at 1,585m above sea level. 21/09/2018 National Park Case Study