Sustaining the Tagal System: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Intangible Cultural Heritage for Community-Based River Conservation in the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve

Grant Type:

Conservation Grant

Year:

2026

State(s):

Sabah

Project Leader:

Asst. Prof. Ts. Dr. Irina Safitri Zen

This project addresses the erosion of Sabah’s indigenous Tagal systems due to climate change and shifting practices. It aims to document traditional knowledge, strengthen community-led governance, and support resilient river ecosystems and sustainable fish populations in the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve.

To revitalise Sabah’s indigenous Tagal freshwater fishery systems in villages within the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve by documenting indigenous knowledge and community-based conservation practices with communities in Moyog River and Kg Ulu Senagang.

Asst. Prof. Ts. Dr. Irina Safitri Zen

International Islamic University Malaysia

Asst. Prof. Ts. Dr. Irina Safitri Zen is a sustainability and climate change researcher with over 20 years of experience, specialising in the intersection of ecological conservation and indigenous knowledge. Her work focuses on Sabah’s Tagal system, a traditional community-based fisheries management practice in the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, which she is supporting for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition. She has conducted research, stakeholder workshops, and field engagements with local communities and Sabah Parks, contributing to sustainability science capacity building and advancing understanding of Tagal’s role in biodiversity conservation and livelihoods.