The concept of tagal, which means ‘don’t’ in the Kadazandusun language, has been practised by the indigenous peoples of Sabah for many generations, not only for the management of rivers but also for other natural resources such as forests. This traditional approach has also been adopted by the Sabah Fisheries Department which has formed smart partnerships with local communities to protect, restore, conserve and manage freshwater fishery resources.
Mostly populated by the Dusun ethnic group, the villages concerned were Kampung Ranap, Kitapol, Pukak, Lokub, Sukang, Linga, Tulung, Mantob, Dumpiring, Mangkaladom, Pinahawon, Pinagon and Tiku.Their ‘harvests’ of fish such as barob, pelian, sarawi and river lampam or gayomato varied in quantity, with some of the rivers providing bountiful catches exceeding one tonne and others producing less satisfactory yields.
Edjilon Tongiak, chairman of the Sungai Pisapakan Dumpiring Tagal committee, told Bernama although their river’s yellow zone was ‘harvested’ just nine months ago, this year’s harvest was even more satisfactory. “During the day and night, our members take turns to monitor the areas concerned. This is crucial as we have heard of fish stocks depleting in rivers elsewhere.
Longkumin Kimus, 60, chairman of the Tulu Sala Pinahawon Tagal committee, said currently, intruders caught stealing fish are let off with a warning. Kampung Mangkaladom Tagal committee chairman Lodimun Balantis, 65, said it is time for villages with rivers managed under the tagal system to install closed-circuit television cameras in strategic areas to facilitate monitoring and prosecuting trespassers.