Ulu Papar, Malaysia

Ulu Papar Participatory 3-D model, Sabah, Malaysia (Crocker Range Park)

pic_550_ulu-papar1:8,000 horizontal scale (2 x vertical exaggeration) Participatory 3D Model (P3DM) of the Ulu Papar area including areas inside and immediately adjacent to the Crocker Range Park, Sabah, Malaysia (November 2010 and August 2011)

Note: The exercise was facilitated in order to train members of the communities of Ulu Papar in the practice and establish a medium (the 3D model) where community members could interact and share location-specific knowledge in an easy way

A second purpose of the exercise was to generate spatial data which could be digitised and used as part of wider effort supporting community-based conservation in Ulu Papar.
Community researchers from Ulu Papar constructed the model over a period of five days in November 2010. The completed blank model was subsequently transported to Kalanggaan village in Ulu Papar, where it was stored in a central location easily accessible to community members. In August 2011, a workshop was held in Kalanggaan in which local residents developed a map legend first and later on located the various features on the model using paints and pins.
The model (192 km2) was built by representatives from the communities of Kalanggaan, Pongobonon, and Longkogungan in Ulu Papar, the Global Diversity Foundation, and Sabah Parks.

pic_551_ulu-paparThe completed model is currently housed in Kalanggan village, which was chosen as it is the most central location in Ulu Papar, and therefore provides the most convenient access to residents. Community members have agreed to periodically update the model with new information during future workshops. Initial model data have been imported into a GIS and used as part of wider research aimed at documenting local land use practices and provide supporting evidence on the fact that the communities are de facto the custodians and conservation managers of Ulu Papar.

Method/tools: P3DM and GIS

A Darwin Initiative Project: Participatory Approaches to Nominating the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve (2009-2012)

Reference documents:

Agama A.L., Sanem J., Nais J., and Martin G. 2011. A Biocultural Perspective for Heritage Conservation in Ulu Papar, Sabah: the importance of culture the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve Nomination. Paper presented at the Asian Wetland Symposium, 18-20 July 2011, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; 19 July 2011

Agama A. L. and James Wong. 2010. Participatory 3-Dimensional Modelling Workshop Report (6 to 12 November 2010), Kinabalu Park, by the Global Diversity Foundation, Sabah Parks, Pacos Trust and the Ulu Papar community

Adam Murphy. 2010. Report on Biocultural Diversity & Conservation Training Workshop; Part 2: Participatory GIS (13th – 14th November 2010); Inobong Research Station, Penampang

logos_ulu-papar