65 Theresia John, Patricia John, Louis Bugiad and Agnes Lee Agama
Photo: Ephraem Lompoduk
144
Community researchers update the location of gravesites on the Ulu Papar participatory 3D map.
‘resource catchment area’ was coined: the
total area required to sustain community
livelihoods in Ulu Papar, both inside and
outside the park. Research results continue
to inform the ongoing discussions within
the community, and between the community and park managers on land-use
planning and resource management,
whether in the proposed CUZ, buffer and
transition zones to the CRBR, community
conserved areas or community-managed
multiple resource use areas (Wong et al.,
2009).
An important outcome was the enriched
capacity within the community to engage in
conservation dialogue and action (Agama
et al., 2011). Over 300 young and elderly
men and women from Ulu Papar villages
have participated in research activities, as
community researchers, collaborators,
informants, workshop participants, field
guides and hosts. Over eight years, more
than 25 community researchers have been
trained to work with their villages to map
key resource areas and mark them on 3D
models, conduct livelihoods assessments,
record oral histories, collect botanical specimens of useful plants, and produce a series
of participatory videos that share the
concerns of their community in their own
words and using their own images.
Conducted through fieldwork, workshops,
community exchanges, training courses,
expeditions and travelling roadshows, these
activities yielded a significant amount of
data on resource use patterns and cultural
landscapes. The process has also facilitated
discussions and information-sharing
amongst community members and with
outside agencies.
This collaborative initiative has been
critical in promoting the role of the
community in the conservation and
management of Ulu Papar (Majid-Cooke
and Vaz, 2011). However, many threats
remain to their livelihoods, well-being and
future. These include the lack of legal
tenure of their customary lands, prolonged
delays in CUZ implementation and lack of
clarity on CRBR zoning, continued standoff with the park and plans to construct the
Kaiduan Dam.