CHANGE OF FOREST LAND USE BASED ON CONSERVATION POLICY AND PRACTICE: A CASE STUDY IN DANUM VALLEY, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Southeast Asia’s forest and green areas are undergoing a fast and substantial experienced sudden change, depending on complex area management issues resulting in deforestation, including Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia. The study purposely to determine the land-use pattern at Danum Valley through a geospatial approach. GIS data was collected from government official departments such as the Sabah Forest Department and Urban and Regional Planning Sabah Department. Land-use changes analysis, namely Relative land use percentages and matrix analysis used to understand the changing pattern and current scenario of land use activity at Danum Valley. Preliminary findings indicate a change of forest land use from Class 2 Commercial Forest Reserve into Class 1 Protected Forest Reserve during the three times series within an area of influence near Danum Valley.