The Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) is a 43,800km2 of pristine dipterocarp forest located in the eastern part of Sabah. In May 1995, DVCA was declared a Protection Forest Reserve (Class 1) by the Sabah State Legislative Assembly under provision of the Forest Enactment 1968. This declaration came with the creation of the Forest (Danum Valley Conservation Area) Rules, 1966 which involved the framework for the planning and management of DVCA. In the same year, a Management Plan (1996-2000) was prepared outlining the strategic actions required to achieve the management objectives of DVCA in research, education, training and nature tourism. At the Danum Valley Management Committee (DVMC) meeting held in 2002, members of the DVMC resolved to review the DVCA Management Plan (1996-2000). A Danum Valley Management Plan Review Committee (DVMPRC) was established in February 2004 to coordinate the review exercise. The DVMPRC comprises of five agencies; Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Foundation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah Wildlife Department, and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia. The efforts of the revision are manifested in the present document (hereafter the Danum Valley Conservation Area Strategic Management Plan (2010-2020).

DVCA was established for the purposes of scientific research, recreation and protection of ecology, environment and climatic conditions. As such, DVCA shall be managed in perpetuity as a protection forest for the purposes of scientific research, environmental education and nature-based recreations for the benefit of present and future generations. In achieving this vision, the management goals of DVCA for the planning period 2010-2020 are three folds i.e. 1) CONSERVE its natural resources through proper zoning of landuse, 2) PROTECT and maintain the rich biodiversity in DVCA, and 3) DEVELOP DVCA to enhance its conservation significance through research, education and ecotourism. This requires an effective management structure, which the Danum Valley Management Committee (DVMC) has played an effective role as an advisory body. DVMC is represented by 14 key governmental and non-governmental organizations in Malaysia.

DVCA occupies much of the upper catchment of the Segama River with an elevation ranging from 150m to 1,000m above the mean sea level. The Segama River forms the eastern and southern boundary of DVCA, while the Danum River defines the northern boundary. The Danum Valley receives an average of 2,776mm with mean daily temperatures of 27 degree celsius. This climate supports a unique geological setting of flora and fauna in DVCA. In recognition of the rich biodiversity in DVCA, the conservation and protection needs of DVCA can be strengthened through enlisting with international listings of protection forests. Enlisting in any of the protection networks can bring about peripheral benefits with respect to technical advise with respect to capacity building, research support and/or grants. 

Geologically, DVCA is underlain by some of the oldest rocks found in Sabah ranging in age from Triassic to Pliocene. Based on their age and lithological associations, the rocks in the Danum Valley are classified into two main groups. The ophiolitic rocks comprises of a mixture of sandstones, tuff, agglomerate, chert, basalt and serpentines. There are three major mountain summits within DVCA; Mt. Tribulation (861m) in the upper Segama Highlands southwest of the DVCA.

In the mountainous regions, the ultramafic forest is represented mainly by the tree species in the Mytoceous family comprising of Palaquium sp., Shorea venulosa, Tristaniopsis sp., and Castanopsis foxworthii as well as the conspicuous Bornean gymnosperms such as Gymnostoma sumatranum, Podocarpus borneensisr Falcatifolium falciforme and Dactydium elatum. This forest formation is also rich in epiphytes and herbaceous species induding abundant orchids and pitcher plants. On altitudes less than 750m, the mixed dipterocarp forest is the largest forest type covering nearly 95% of DVCA Generally, large trees of Shorea johorensis, Parashorea fomentella, Parashorea mallanonan, Shorea parvifolia, Shorea leprosula and Dryobalanops lanceolata are commonly found in this forest type.

The forest in DVCA is an important food source and refuge for faunal populations. The vertebrate fauna of DVCA is exceptionally rich with records of over 120 species of mammals, 300 birds, 72 reptiles, 56 amphibians and 37 fishes. Those of particular significance are populations of 10 species of primates including the endemic proboscis monkeys and orang-utan. Orang-utan population is high (3,0004,000 nests) in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve particularly in the Malua area and the north side of the Segama River. Mammals include the clouded leopards, Sumatran rhinoceros, pygmy elephants and Malayan sun bears. The population of Sumatran rhinos in DVCA is shrinking mainly due to poaching and habitat loss. Elephant density in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve ranked second to Tangkulap Forest Reserve. A long-term effort to sustain these threatened species in DVCA include restoring forests in key habitats (e.g. Malua and Ulu Segama), anti-poaching patrols end securing along main access points at the Malua-lnfapro, Danum Palm Estate, Tingkayu/Dewata and Fitch area.

The Management Plan (2010-2020) prescribed five zones within DVCA for sustainable use and development. The Research and Training Zone occupies a radius of 10 km around the Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC) currently being utilized extensively for research and training, The Wilderness Recreation and Education Zone is approximately 5,200 ha and is used for environmental education and recreational activities. The Eco-Tourism Zone occupies approximately 1,030 ha and boasts the Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) with exclusive atmosphere for highend customers, and offers a number of nature attractions such as forest walks, night drives, water rafting and sceneries of primary forests. The Wilderness Tourism Zone is steep and rugged. Most suited for adventure tourism, this Zone comprises 3,540 ha with possible sightings of large mammals. The Nature Reserve Zone is the largest and comprises approximately 30,710 ha and features spectacular flora, fauna and waterfalls. This Zone is an important watershed for Sabah.

There is a need to integrate land uses outside DVCA in achieving the overall conservation and development goals of DVCA. These areas outside the DVCA are referred to as 'buffer zones' under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ulu Segama Malua (USM) Initiative. Under this initiative, the State Government of Sabah through the Forestry Department, Sabah Foundation and WWF Malaysia plan to intensively manage 300,000 ha of forests mainly logged-over in the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve (203,808 ha), Malua Forest Reserve (33,969 ha) and Ulu Kalumpang Forest Reserve (51,118 ha) on a sustainable basis. For the purpose of this Management Plan, Buffer Zone I contains approximately 102,228 ha, and covers several on-going research projects INFAPRO, Reduced Impact Logging (RIL), Forest Canopy Research, etc.) with third party commitments in this zone. The management strategy for Buffer Zone I is to integrate research into all aspects of forestry operations. A second buffer of 208,385 ha flanks Buffer Zone I. The zone contains several patches of virgin jungle reserves, Taliwas camp, and international research plots, The overriding management strategy of Buffer Zone Il is ensured that future developments be based on an integrated approach complying with sustainable forest management.

The foci of the Danum Valley Rainforest Research and Training Programme encompass improving knowledge of both primary and regenerating rainforest ecology and dynamics, and the training of young scientists. The Programme has benefited strongly from its links with The Royal Society, UK. Over 330 collaborative research projects have been completed or are underway, and over 390 research articles have been published. In terms of research training, over 70 higher learning degrees has been successfully completed since 1985 with 50% of them by Malaysians/Southeast Asian, and the other half by those of British and European nationality. More Sabahan/Malaysian researchers' involvement in Danum need to be pursued by targeting grant institutions (national and international) that have a policy of local involvement as a key criterion in deciding grant award. The current research theme for a five-year period (2005-2009) is Supporting biodiversity and biogeochemical flux research in tropical rainforest' with an emphasis on using major research facilities at Danum. These 5-year thematic programs have been successful in attracting major funding from the European Union, the UK-based NERC, Darwin Initiative and Leverhulme organizations, as well as other grant institutions in Switzerland, Germany and Sweden. The main strategies to attract world-class research to Danum for the period 2005-2009 include 1) promoting and supporting key long-term field research facilities at Danum, 2) continuing to provide and enhance research infrastructural support at Danum, 3) promoting Danum as a coordinating centre of neighbouring stations, 4) promoting new links with organizations, and 5) promoting university field courses at Danum.

A major use of DVFC has been for the education of school groups, nature clubs and non-governmental organizations (e.g. professional bodies). All such visits represent a major opportunity for the implementation of an environmental education (EE) program. There is a need to improve staff strength and skills within a well-structured and coordinated curriculum.

Ecotourism in DVCA should be guided by five key principles; 1) nature-based, 2) ecologically sustainable, 3) environmentally educative, 4) locally beneficial, and 5) generates tourist satisfaction. Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) is now a relatively mature and successful facility to cater for tourists since its opening in July 1994. The number of guests who visited BRL has increased by 80% from 2,734 in 2000 to 4,920 in 2009. The peak was in 2008 with visitors numbering a total of 5,335. The average occupancy rate for a 10-year running period (2000-2009) was 31 % on an increasing trend. In 2000, the rate was 25% and doubled to 53% in 2009. There is a need to increase staff strength in BRL, BRL guides must be able to converse with guest with an interest in the ongoing research being carried out at DVFC. The main recommendations are to enhance visitors' enjoyment and increase the safety of recreational activities, maintain existing facilities to cultivate an atmosphere of exclusivity with minimal environmental disturbances associated with waste handling, sewerage system, noise, and trampling.

Access into the DVCA is sufficiently provided by Danum Valley Field Centre and Borneo Rainforest Lodge at this initial stage, but as the demand for access into DVCA increases, there is a need (within this time frame of the Management Plan) to study and assess other potential sites outside of the conservation area (within Buffer Zone 1) that may be developed exclusively for ecotourism purposes or for multiple allowable purposes and used to access the conservation area. This would therefore not compromise the carrying capacity of the existing sites.