How an adventure may help save the mountain forests of Borneo

An eco-adventure in the highlands of Borneo spanning Sabah, Sarawak and neighbouring Krayan province in Kalimantan, Indonesia, offered two things: chances to be closer with pristine mountain forests and to help out in local conservation projects.

This was the Heart of Borneo Highlands Eco Challenge (HEC) that I went through last year.

The biennial HEC went far beyond an ordinary tourism package. Rather, it was an adventure event, initiated by the indigenous people of Borneo’s interior, that combined history, culture, and stewardship of nature.

Participants travelled by 4WD, walked through ancient Bornean rainforests, and visited villages and historical sites. These are places the ancestors of the highlanders once passed through on their migratory routes thousands of years ago.

The highlands of Sarawak, Sabah, and Krayan are located inside the Heart of Borneo, an initiative to conserve the mountainous forested core of this great island that was agreed upon among the three governments of Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia in 2007.

The eco challenge was organised by the Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples in the Highlands of Borneo (Formadat) with help from WWF-Malaysia.

Alicia Ng of WWF (Sarawak office) said the goals of the organisers were to heighten the awareness of ecotourism in the highland forests of Borneo.

Rather than a huge trail running competition, the challenge was more of an ecotourism journey delving into the roots of the people and the natural surroundings that have nurtured them.

The aim was to conserve the biodiversity of the Heart of Borneo for the benefit of the people who rely upon it through a network of protected areas (and sustainably-managed) forests.

Two eco challenge trails were featured. First was the shorter five day “Jungle Exploration” trail which covered only Sabah and Sarawak (Kota Kinabalu-Sipitang-Long Pa’ Sia-Long Semadoh-Lawas) that I went for. Then there was a 10 day “Heart of Borneo Experience” which extended to Long Bawan in Kalimantan.

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Huge tourism potential in Padawan

KUCHING: Penrissen and Padawan areas are a huge adventure playground and leading destination for sports tourism due to their diverse and panoramic landscapes.

Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim pointed out that the myriad landscapes, natural beauty, historical heritage, cultural diversity, sports and recreational activities promised plenty of thrills and experience for visitors.

“There are so many unique and attractive destinations, tourism products and activities that bring people, both locals and foreigners, to the area,” he said at the MPP Appreciation Night held at Riverside Majestic Lounge here on Friday.

As such, he added that it was not surprising that Borneo Highland which hosts the annual nature challenge, became the location of choice for many outdoor sporting activities like hiking, trekking, marathon, triathlon and cycling.

Among the notable sporting events that MPP has organised and hosted are the Borneo Highland Resort Nature Challenge, Hash Run, Padawan Raft Safari and Padawan 4×4 International Challenge.

“More importantly, organising these events bring considerable impact and benefits to the areas as well as to the local community especially in providing a stream of economic activities and enhancing community participation that helps to build and develop the entire area and community,” he said.

“There’s no doubt such healthy leisure and sporting events are able to draw people to the areas, often in large numbers, where they will spend money and contribute to spurring economic growth in the area,” he added.

Ahmad hoped MPP would continue to lead in organising more sporting events to promote and put Padawan on the world map.

“Hopefully the Padawan 4×4 International Challenge can happen this year as it was postponed last year due to unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

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Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge returns

KUCHING: The annual Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2016 will be back on Nov 20.

According to the organising committee chairman Councillor Bronnie Marshall, the event which entered the ninth year targeted 500 participants.

It comes under five categories: MPP Chairman Cycling Challenge, Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge (open), Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge, Borneo Highlands Run for men and for women.

“For the ninth year, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) jointly organised the Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge to give opportunity for nature lovers and adventurous individuals to be close to nature and experience the environment and adventure tourism aspects of Padawan, including Borneo Highlands Resort,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Present were MPP chairman and Batu Kawah assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, deputy organising chairman Councillor Wadell Boyod and other committee members.

Bronnie said the objectives of the event were to encourage the public to take an interest in nature, sports and a healthy lifestyle; make Padawan a place for eco-tourism; and encourage collaboration between the public and private sector to promote eco-tourism in the State.

The MPP Chairman Cycling Challenge Trophy will cover a distance of 45 km from MPP Pitcher Plant Garden at 10th Mile bazaar.

The event is open to participants aged 18 years and above, with all participants to be insured.

The closing date for entry is Nov 1 by 3pm and participants will collect their numbers and attend technical briefings at MPP on Nov 18. They must bring along their original identity cards or passports and receipts when collecting their race pack.

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Borneo Highland tales of mystery, legends literarily take flight

KUCHING: The highlands of Sarawak and Sabah are home not only to the most unique communities in Asia but also home to a rich array of mystical tales and legends as well as fascinating heritage sites and attractions.

World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF Malaysia) and the Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples of the Highlands of Borneo (Formadat) hosted a casual literary evening to share some of the old tribal stories compiled in the ‘Highland Tales in the Heart of Borneo’ book.

The enthralling story-telling took place at China House in the Old Court House here on Wednesday night.

Deputy state secretary Datu Ose Murang, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak president and patron of Formadat Dato Isaac Lugun, Formadat advisor Jayl Langub and WWF programme leader Jason Hon were among the guests.

The book, which was launched in July last year, features an oral history of people living at Long Pa Sia in Sabah, and Ba Kelalan, Bario and Long Semadoh in Sarawak as well as places of interests comprising megaliths, old burial grounds and settlements, and old rainforests of Borneo.

WWF-Malaysia senior Community Engagement and Education officer, Alicia Ng, who works closely with the highland communities on co-management of natural resources and sustainability, through the grassroots initiative Formadat, authored the book.

“WWF’s work in the highlands focuses on working with the communities to deliver sustainable farming and responsible eco-tourism to improve the people’s livelihood. Both require a healthy forest, wildlife and environment… the entire eco-system in short,” she said when addressing the event.

“As such, this event is part of our efforts to promote the highlands through folktales, cultures, traditions and heritage of the Orang Ulu communities comprising Kelabit, Lun Bawang, Lundayeh and Saban.”

The book, she added, allowed readers to catch a glimpse into the community’s past, present and future which are very much intertwined with their natural surroundings in the picturesque highlands.

“It is important to document these stories because they are normally passed down orally from father to son. But the younger generation of today, even those in the highlands, do not know or are unsure these stories exist,” she said.

Ng added that the book could be a reference for nature guides to promote eco-tourism as well as an introduction for visitors and tourists interested to visit the highlands.

“I am happy the presence of this book has indeed raised quite significant awareness about the highlands,” she said.

Asked if there were plans to come up with a second edition of the book, she said they had given thought to it but needed to look into the budget, time and to source for contributors.

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