KINABALU PARK 2ND HUB at KOTA BELUD

DESCRIPTION

Kinabalu Park is one of Sabah’s top nature tourism destination especially for climbers to the highest mountain in South East Asia, Mount Kinabalu. In 2010, a total of 266,676 visited the park of which 47,613 were climbers. Overcrowding during weekend and public holidays is foreseen to be one of the environmental issues confronting the Park especially the park is a World Heritage Site. Hence, there is a need to spread visitors load and to better control visitors access to the park.

Facilities and Attractions at the 2nd Hub:
• Development of round the mountain trails and hut systems
• Major car park facility, Low’s Gully trail, boat ride along Sg. Panataran, camping site, bird watching trail, new route to the existing Miniangkap Route, etc.
• Viewing platform and Parks information centre
• Development of accommodation (100 chalets), 2 restaurants and retail space

Key OUTCOMES OF THE EPP/ KPIS
• Additional climbers to Mount Kinabalu from the 2nd Hub.
• More options for visitors to visit Kinabalu Park. i.e. from Kota Belud site.
• Addressing overcrowding/congestion at Kinabalu Park Headquarters.
• Provide niche market for adventurous climbers to summit of Mt. Kinabalau (7 days 6 nights).
• Potential to provide greater support for accommodation facilities to be developed around Kinabalu Park from Kota Belud side.
• Additional job opportunities totaling 504.

KEY CHALLENGES
• General location of the 2nd Hub has been identified, however the exact location has not been assessed yet.
• Poor road condition (i.e. from KB-Ranau Bypass to Kg. Melangkap).
• Absence of basic infrastructure such as road, electricity, potable water supply at the new hub (entry point at Kg. Melangkap).  

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
• Development of basic infrastructure.
• Funding for infrastructure development.
• Detailed feasibility and assessment study of the 2nd Hub.  

MITIGATION PLAN
• Upgrade the gravel road (7km) from KB-Ranau Bypass to Kg. Melangkap.