Thursday, June 15, 2006

Expedition to Sabah's 'lost world'

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) - A team of Malaysian scientists on Tuesday left from Kuala Lumpur for a scientific expedition to the Maliau Basin in Sabah.

The scientific expedition entitled, the Maliau Expedition, it will take place between 15 and 24 June. It is jointly organised by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and Sabah Foundation and conducted in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Sabah Parks, with support from Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Professor Dr Ibrahim Komoo FASc of Fellow of ASM is heading the team of 70 Malaysian scientists comprising academicians, doctorates and researchers from local higher learning and research institutions.

Its main objectives are to enhance knowledge of the Maliau Basin as well as to build capacity and capability of local scientists to carry out expedition in the tropical region. In addition, it is also aimed at developing long-term research co-operation at both national and international levels.

The expedition is divided into four scientific teams namely Flora Biodiversity, Fauna Biodiversity, Physical and Landscape Diversity and Water and Aquatic Life.

"The expedition is also expected to galvanize scientists to help develop capacity and understanding to determine measures for the sustainable use of the abundant natural resources available in the area.

The Maliau Basin is a 25km diameter basin that resembles a volcanic caldera and is a sedimentary formation comprising mainly of gently inclined beds of sandstone and mudstone.

It is situated in the south central region of Sabah, covering an area of about 390 square kilometers.

`It is also known as Sabah's Lost World as the Basin is hidden from inhabited coastal areas and sits approximately 600km upriver from Sabah's east coast.

The area is mostly inaccessible due to its extremely rugged landscape rimmed by steep slopes and cliffs.

Source: BERNAMA

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