Where have All the Forests Gone? Deforestation in Land Below the Wind

Between the 1970s and 1980s, Sabah experienced a rapid loss of forest cover. This paper examines the various accounts for this phenomenon and proposes a synthesis of the various explanations. It considers both macro and micro forces to present a holistic view of the complex and multiple forces affecting forest use leading to rapid forest loss and degradation in Sabah during that period. Economic globalisation, together with local socio-political dynamics have caused the rapid exploitation of forests in Sabah. Economic globalisation also works in synergy with local forces to intensify forest exploitation in Sabah, thus resulting in massive deforestation.