Forest Management Plan - Sabah Forestry Department

2.0: GENERAL INFORMATION2.1 Name, Location and Legal StatusThis revised management plan is prepared for FMU 17A, which comprises of TangkulapForest Reserve (27,550 ha) and part of the Sg. Pinangah Forest Reserve (22,520 ha).These forest reserves form a contiguous area of FMU 17A, which covers a total area of50,070 ha. The area is located at the central part of Sabah. Its geographical positionis between longitude 117° 02’ 32.43” E and 117° 22” 00.00” E and between latitude of 5°31’ 08.10” N and 5° 16’ 00.00” N (Figure 1.1). Sg. Pinangah FR was first established andgazetted as a Commercial FR in 1966 while Tangkulap FR was gazetted in 1962.2.2 ClimateThe entire FMU 17A generally experiences an equatorial climate characterized by warmand humid weather all year round.2.2.1 RainfallThe Southwest monsoon that occurs from May to August and Northeast Monsoon thatoccurs from November to February bring rains to the west coast and east coast ofSabah, respectively. The two inter monsoon periods (March to April and September toOctober) generally bring less rainfall.In spite of its remote inland location, Tangkulap receives abundant rainfall with a totalannual precipitation ranging between 2000 to 4000 mm. However, its monthly rainfallcan vary significantly from 33.0 mm to over 1000 mm (Table 2.1).Table 2.1: Rainfall record of Tangkulap / Deramakot Weather Station showing averagemonthly rainfall (2002 - 2007)YearMONTHJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov DecVolume of Rainfall (mm)2002 203 192 155 368 589 442 329 519 435 630 198 196 42562003 336 454 206 115 78 156 298 341 391 143 229 1105 38522004 492 140 361 58 263 96 480 123 501 153 89 545 33012005 297 82 346 33 408 271 204 229 233 323 217 224 28672006 223 673 121 137 223 331 243 303 268 411 283 285 35012007 461 220 81 142 649 221 257 160 265 395 259 303 3413Average 335 293 212 142 368 253 302 279 349 342 212 443Total5