THE word “riparian” is derived from the Latin word “ripa”, meaning riverbank.
Among the roles of riparian zones are to provide wildlife habitats, increase biodiversity and provide wildlife corridors, which enable aquatic and riparian organisms to move along river systems and avoid isolated communities. They can also provide forage for wildlife and livestock.
In the case of lower Sungai Kinabatangan, the riparian reserve works as a buffer zone for floods and as a migration route for wildlife, such as Borneo elephants and orang utans.
To move to other areas with more abundant food supply, elephants have a habit of migrating seasonally along the river.
The encroachment of oil palm plantations into riparian zones splits up the animals’ migration routes.
As a result, they have to venture onto private land, including villages, bringing them into conflict with humans.