357 coming for Padawan nature challenge

KUCHING: The BHR Padawan Nature Challenge – a cycling and trekking adventure – has so far attracted 357 participants.

Jointly organised by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR), this year’s challenge, which will be held on Nov 20, has added a new event, the MPP Chairman Cycling Challenge Trophy.

Organising committee chairman Bronnie Marshall Poris said the new category, which begins from the MPP Pitcher Garden at Kota Padawan and ends at the plateau of BHR, would cover a distance of about 57km.

“We have included this event upon the request of the Sarawak Cycling Association and to date, some 53 cyclists have confirmed their participation,” he said at the sponsorship presentation ceremony at the MPP office near here yesterday.

Bronnie said other categories to be contested were the Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge, the Borneo Highlands Run (Men), the Borneo Highlands Run (Women) and the Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge.

He said 52 teams had confirmed their participation in the Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge and 29 teams were confirmed for the 15km Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge.

As for the Borneo Highlands Run, which will cover a distance of 8km, he said 81 have confirmed their participation in the men’s  category and 51 in the women’s category.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: 357 coming for Padawan nature challenge

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Rain fails to dampen spirit at Sarawak Bird Race in Borneo Highlands Resort

KUCHING: The early morning rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of 38 bird lovers who tramped Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR), peering through their binoculars to identify birds dwelling this Important Bird Area (IBA) in the recent Sarawak Bird Race.

The race was organised by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Kuching branch in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism Ministry principle assistant secretary Connie Christopher Kesa and Tourism Malaysia Tourism Development Products deputy director Azhar Musydni Abdul Mutalib flagged off the participants who included 24 from the Beginners Birding Workshop held last month.

The winner in the competition was to be the team that saw the largest number of species within a specified time frame and area.

Winner in this year’s race was team Eagle Eyes comprising Hans Hazebroek and James Lee Fung Onn who saw 33 species.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Rain fails to dampen spirit at Sarawak Bird Race in Borneo Highlands Resort

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Enthusiasts called to join Sarawak Bird Race ‘15

KUCHING: Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Tourism, is organising the Sarawak Bird Race 2015 on Nov 1 at Borneo Highlands Resort.

Sarawak, unfortunately, is not as well known as a birding destination as Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah. Borneo Highlands Resort, an important bird area since 2010, is one the more accessible location to see Sarawak’s rare and endemic birds.

This resort borders Kalimantan, at the 1,300-metre ridge that marks the international boundary. It is located about an hour’s drive from Kuching in the Penrissen Highlands.

Four out of the eight species of hornbills found in Sarawak (10 species are found in Malaysia) have been seen here. These are the Black, Rhinoceros, White-crowned and Wreathed Hornbills.

MNS Kuching vice-chairperson Rose Au said rare birds found at BHR included Blue-banded Pitta, Pygmy White-eye and Bornean Barbet. All together, up to 201 species had been recorded.

These birds could be seen along the forest trail that skirts the cliff.

This is a great chance for experts and novice birders to be part of citizen science. The data collected will be incorporated into the world database on birds. This information is a way of measuring the health of the environment.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Enthusiasts called to join Sarawak Bird Race ‘15

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Borneo Highlands Resort now open to all

KUCHING: The Borneo Highlands Resort has transitioned itself from being an all inclusive resort to a local-friendly resort while maintaining its exclusivity, with the management now planning the biggest ever picnic in Sarawak next year.

Between its establishment in 2000 and 2006, it was solely a golf resort open only to golfers and members, including a focus on healthy lifestyle.

From 2007 to 2011, the concept expanded to an eco-wellness resort offering all inclusive packages to visitors.

During that time, the resort only offered all inclusive packages, targeting market segments that value and appreciate the eco-wellness concept.

Visitors to the resort are from the United Kingdom, Middle East and Singapore and other countries for whom it hoped to create a serene ambience to relax and rejuvenate by just being close to nature.

Continue reading at: Borneo Highlands Resort now open to all

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Borneo Highlands Resort - A resort where spirits roam and hornbills soar

KUCHING: Sitting on top the Penrissen Range some 2,000 metres above sea level and 50km from the buzzing city life, is the Borneo Highlands Resort.- a result of the pioneering vision of Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, who transformed what was logged land into an exclusive wonderland of golf course and bungalows snuggled in the midst of flora and fauna of a rainforest.

Just as he had raised the present-day ‘Mines Resort’ in Selangor from disused tin mines into a Malaysian success story, Lee was here over a decade ago on Sarawak’s invitation.

The developer was to decide if his Midas touch could yet work another wonder, and stood gazing across 1,000 acres of timber over logged jungle straddling the border with Indonesian Kalimantan.

As the story goes, Lee said he would pick up the gauntlet if he could call through to his wife on his handphone, this, in the days when mobile phone reception was near-miraculous in remote parts, where ‘Borneo Heights’ was. Amazingly, the call went through, and the beaming Lee made his decision… and the rest is history.

The Borneo Post adventure team ascended the steep winding road from the base of the range to the resort in a test drive of Isuzu MU-X yesterday.

It was not drive for the faint-hearted but the powerful 2.5 litre engine of the Isuzu SUV made light work of what would have been an arduous drive up the mountain.

The location of the resort has a rich history of legends with its own version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ romance in the midst of a war among the tribes of who lived on the range.

Marketing and IT Manager Bernard Tiang related that long ago when during the tribal war marriage between the different tribes was forbidden.

“But a couple originating from two tribes fell in love,” Bernard explained. “when their love affair were exposed they were chased by their own people. They were cornered at the ‘rumah panggah’ (a house where headhunters guarded prized skulls) and while it was taboo for women to enter, the desperate couple in grave violation, hid in it.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Borneo Highlands Resort - A resort where spirits roam and hornbills soar

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WWF-Malaysia honoured to co-host Eco Challenge in July

MIRI: WWF-Malaysia is honoured to partner the state government, Curtin University Sarawak and Forum Masyarakat Adat Dataran Tinggi (Formadat) in co-hosting ‘The Heart of Borneo Highlands Eco Challenge’ in July.

Its head of Conservation, Dr Henry Chan is confident that such ecotourism activities implemented in a responsible manner, driven by the community themselves, and with a focus on nature, would empower the people to generate livelihood activities that strongly feature conservation.

Besides, he said, responsible ecotourism would allow people to know the various types of plants, their names and uses. Scientists call this Ethnobotany.

“The slow walk, observing the bounty of nature in the forests, and camping together for a few nights, serve to foster close relationship between the visitors and the Lun Bawang and Kelabit people who are famous for their hospitality.

“The visitors would develop a deep sense of appreciation towards nature, and respect for the local community who have introduced them to this new spectrum of viewing the world,” he said.

Chan said this at the joint Eco Challenge pre-recce press conference held at Curtin Sarawak yesterday, together with the event director John Tarawe and Curtin Sarawak Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski.

The inaugural eco challenge will run from July 25 to 30 at Ba Kelalan and Bario.

Chan added that the 6-day trek, from Ba Kelalan to Bario through pristine forest, scenic mountains, rivers and villages was not only important to the people living there but also vital to the Heart of Borneo Initiative.

He said that Heart of Borneo Initiative was a joint effort of the governments of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei to manage 22 million hectares of land and forest in central Borneo.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: WWF-Malaysia honoured to co-host Eco Challenge in July

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Invitation to inaugural Borneo Bird Race 2014

KUCHING: Bird lovers and enthusiasts are invited to join the inaugural Borneo Bird Race 2014 from Sept 28 to 29 at the Borneo Highlands Resort here.

The race allows participants to explore and spot as many bird species as possible within the allocated time period, with the participants spotting the most species claiming the prizes.

And any newly found bird species will be documented, and bird lovers are welcomed to witness the race and enjoy the mini exhibition on birds and other wildlife.

This prestigious event, requiring specialised knowledge in bird species as well as having a high level of passion in the sport, has received participation from Hong Kong, India, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and Malaysia.

The event is a joint collaboration between Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei Darussalam under the tourism jurisdiction and is one of two events sanctioned under the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East Asia Growth Areas (BIMP-EAGA).

Continue reading at: Invitation to inaugural Borneo Bird Race 2014

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Birding workshop for Sarawak tourist and park guides at Borneo Highlands Resort

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism Sarawak, in collaboration with Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Selangor and Kuching Branches, held a Beginners Bird Watching Workshop for licensed tourist guides from Sarawak Tourist Guides Association and Sarawak Forestry Corporation staff and Park Guides.

The three-day workshop (Aug 22 to 24) took place at Borneo Highlands Resort, a popular birding destination in Sarawak that is also an Important Bird Area.

Twenty-five people took part in the workshop which was aimed at preparing tourist guides and SFC’s Park Guides and staff for birding tourism which is gaining popularity in the state.

With on-going workshops being organised, it is hoped that Sarawak will be ready for birding tourism with a pool of newly trained and enthusiastic birding guides.

With the basic birding skills acquired over the weekend, spending time birding and reading birds field guide books, the workshop trainers from  MNS Selangor and Kuching branches assured participants that they should be able to identify birds within a reasonable time.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Birding workshop for Sarawak tourist and park guides at Borneo Highlands Resort

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10th World Harvest Festival may attract over 6,000 visitors

KUCHING: The 10th World Harvest Festival to be held at Sarawak Cultural Village from May 2 to 4 is expected to attract over 6,000 visitors from all over the world.

Previously known as Gawai Tourism Night, the colourful and exciting festival with the theme ‘Sibauk and The Magic Golden Seeds’, is expected to contribute at least RM3 million to the state tourism coffer.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the estimate was based on an average spending of RM200 per day per visitor during the three-day festival.

He said the festival attracted about 5,800 visitors last year and would expect about the same number this year.

“The money will go to all those people participating in the festival. Locals will gain from the money spent by tourists on hotels, taxis, flights and food,” Abang Johari told a press conference to promote the festival at his office here yesterday.

Abang Johari said the festival was an important venue for the state to showcase its ethnic and cultural diversity, especially the cultures of the Dayak people in conjunction with Visit Sarawak Year and Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

He also urged SCV to come up with a Gawai package at this time to enable the visitors to experience the Gawai atmosphere.

“WHF 2014 is a good avenue to promote tourism products in areas that are populated by the Bidayuh people,” he added.

For that, he said he would like to work together with Padawan Municipal Council and other agencies including Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) to aggressively promote Borneo Highlands Resort in the heart of the Bidayuh country.

“There are many Bidayuh homestays and other attractions there and these we will link up to what we are going to do during the World Harvest Festival 2014.”

SCV general manager Jane Lian Labang said the theme of the festival based on a Bidayuh legend ‘Sibuak and The Magic Golden Seeds’ was written by Jonas Noeb about the livelihood of the Bidayuh people who are related very much to the earth and stars.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: 10th World Harvest Festival may attract over 6,000 visitors

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Kuching Hidden Gems - Borneo Highlands

Borneo Highlands is one of those places that is so near yet so far that up till now I have never managed to visit.

It is only about 70km from Kuching, and there is a good road right up to the foot of the highlands.

The highlands is about 1,000m above sea level, and is accessible through a narrow mountain road.

Those who have never driven there are advised to use the shuttle service provided by the resort, but many people actually drive up on their own - some using just a little Kancil !

Before doing that make sure you have checked all your systems especially the brakes.

Up in the Highlands, the temperature is much cooler due to the altitude.

The air is really fresh - my kids actually said it was sweet.

There is a resort providing some accommodation, and a golf course.

The developer have sold detached lots as part of the development, and I was surprised to see that quite a number of people have actually built lavish homes there.

The resort is very basic, but the rooms are spacious and clean.

The view from the room is really beautiful, and there is nothing like waking up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window.

Make sure you get one of the rooms on the highest level which have the best views.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Kuching Hidden Gems - Borneo Highlands

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Fanning Kampung Danu’s fame with Padawan Raft Safari

PADAWAN: Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip said he will help to promote Kampung Danu here not only as a recreational raft safari destination but also a tourist attraction.

The Bidayuh village located not far from the scenic Borneo Highlands Resort, has tourism potential through river activities, for example raft for rent.

“I will work closely with the villagers in promoting the area. All the villagers need to provide are the rafts for rent,” he said.

Talib pointed out that he wanted to promote the Safari event overseas towards this cause.

“If the Padawan Raft Safari is introduced or marketed properly, I am sure many more people, including foreigners, will participate in it,” he stressed.

“This effort when it materialises will indirectly help increase the economic activities of the villagers apart from becoming a tourist attraction,” he said when met after flagging off participants in the Padawan Raft Safari 2013 held by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) at Kampung Danu yesterday.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Fanning Kampung Danu’s fame with Padawan Raft Safari

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Padawan Raft Safari, anyone?

KUCHING: Padawan Raft Safari 2013 is calling for entries now.

The event organised by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) will be held along Sarawak Kiri river on July 7 with cash prizes of RM24,000 up for grabs.

Its chairman Lo Khere Khiang said the starting point will be at Kampung Annah Rais for kayaking and rafting (Expert’s category), Kampung Temurang for rafting (Men’s), Kampung Danu for rafting (Women, Government Agencies, Hotels and Tour Agencies).

The finishing point will be at Kampung Git.

The distance along the river is approximately 40km for the Rafting Expert and kayaking categories and 26km for other categories.

Rafting is divided into Expert, Men’s Open, Women’s, Government Departments, and Hotels and Tour Agencies while kayaking is open.

Lo added that for Hotels and Tour Agencies, rafts made from timber and recyclable materials will be provided in next year’s event.

“It will be different from bamboo rafting,” he said at a press conference after the municipal full council meeting here yesterday.

Registration for the competition ends by 5pm on June 28.

The registration fees are RM200 per team for Expert category while RM140 per team for Men, Women, Government Departments and Hotel and Tour Agencies and RM60 per team for kayaking.

Other interesting events lined up for that day are cultural performances, karaoke competition, food and tourism product line.

Another activity to be held in conjunction with the Padawan Events 2013 is a Borneo Highlands Resort Nature Challenge to be held on June 30 (Sunday).

Continue reading at: Padawan Raft Safari, anyone?
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500 entries expected for Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2013

KUCHING: The organiser of the Borneo Highlands Nature Challenge 2013 this coming June 30, is expecting around 500 participants for this year’s challenge, which offers lucrative prizes of more than RM9,000 in total for all four categories.

According to Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) resort manager Zakaria Ismail, last year’s challenge which saw around 220 participants, had helped to promote the annual event, which enters its sixth consecutive year.

“We had participants coming from West Malaysia and Sabah and we believe that more promotions will attract participants, and at the same time promoting BHR as a tourism spot in Sarawak, particularly in Padawan area,” said Zakaria.

He was speaking at a press conference to announce the event at BHR Clubhouse yesterday.

Meanwhile, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the spillover from the event, which saw MPP as one of the co-organisers, will spur growth towards the tourism industry as it will lure outside participants to the state. The event was managed by Absolute Cool Event team.

“BHR has a lot to offer where visitors can enjoy nature on top of the Borneo Highlands and this opportunity should be used to promote Padawan as a tourism spot,” said Lo.

He added that BHR has all the right ingredients where apart from sporting events, visitors can organise corporate family days and functions.

Lo elaborated that the joint cooperation with BHR management in the event aimed to further strengthen the effort while creating an integrated approach with the local authority to promote BHR to the outside world.

The event yesterday also saw the presentation of sponsorship worth RM8,000 from Magnum to BHR.

The Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2013 is a running, cycling and trekking adventure where participants stand a chance to experience Padawan nature at its best.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: 500 entries expected for Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2013

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Asean Film Festival promotes Sarawak as filming destination

KUCHING: An inaugural Asean Film Festival and Award 2013 (Aiffa) will help to promote Sarawak as an

international filming destination and also boost its tourism industry.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said film producers from Asean countries would be taking part in the three-day festival from March 28 to 30 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.

“We hope to promote Sarawak as a state where there are lots of potential locations they can use for shooting films although great publicity is needed to promote such places.

“We have much to offer with our diverse cultures and backgrounds for them to use as their filming locations,” Abang Johari told reporters after a meeting with members of Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia and Persatuan Penyanyi Anak Sarawak on Wednesday night.

He added that Sarawak had many places with interesting historical background and beautiful natural environment for making films such as Batang Ai, Borneo Highlands and Bakun HEP.

Touching on the (festival) preparations, Abang Johari, who is also housing minister said 10 Asean countries would be taking part in the festival and among those which had sent entries were Thailand, the Philippine, Indonesia and Singapore.

He said that Vietnam would be sending a representative as an observer.

“The festival is also expected to attract about 120 producers, three delegations from Bollywood and two from Hollywood.

“Some of the delegates will come early and will head to several places here to see for themselves what is in store for them.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Asean Film Festival promotes Sarawak as filming destination

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Highland paradise in Borneo

REST and relaxation, an all-natural spa on the premises, long leisurely walks, greenery as far as the eye can see — and on the high plateau at the border of Sarawak, the eye can see a long, long way!

Look north, and there’s Kuching almost lost in the early morning mists. Only a few of the high-rises stick out above the sea of white cloud. Look south, there are the rolling hills of Kalimantan, range after range, thickly clad in verdure.

The Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club at Borneo Highlands Resort is located 1,000 metres above sea level where the air is cool, between 18 and 28°C. No air conditioning is needed in the Club House, in fact most guests gratefully snuggle under a warm blanket at night.

If it wasn’t for the comfortable Club House, visitors might imagine they were deep in the jungle, amidst in  Borneo’s wide array of unique flora and fauna.

The number of guests is strictly limited to 60 per day to minimise the overall impact on the surrounding area, while human activities are carefully designed to fit in with nature.

These nature-appreciation activities include walking trails, an obstacle course, visits to waterfalls and the spectacular Kalimantan Drop-off, and bird-watching which may well include a flight of majestic hornbills.

Not only has the Borneo Highlands Resort managed to do this very nicely, it has recently been chosen as one of the world’s Top 10 eco-friendly hotels by leading travel portal, Agoda.com.

The meatless cuisine served at Anna Rais Cafe is just one aspect of the health regime. Organic vegetables are grown at the resort’s organic farm and there’s a horticulturalist on hand if anyone wants specific information.

At least one staff member appears to be a consummate jungle forager — the delicious wild mushroom fricassee has to be tasted to be believed!

HIGHLANDS RETREAT

And now, the little secret: Many visitors make their way up Borneo Highlands for the sake of enjoying nature.

Others, however, have discovered that this is where golf is taken to a high level — 1,000 metres, to be exact. The invigorating temperatures keep keen sportsmen and sportswomen cool and on the ball, the clear mountain air makes teeing-off a pleasure.

The 18-hole golf course is bedded into the natural contours of the rolling terrain, surrounded by forest-clad hills on all sides.

The Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club offers a lot more than golf! It offers a quiet retreat and fresh air to the harassed city dweller. After a strenuous round of golf, the tired body needs revitalisation (or should that be called coddling?).

Full spa facilities provide steam baths, saunas and jacuzzis, traditional massage, foot reflexology, aromatherapy, meditation therapy and organic facial and body treatments — or a relaxing bath with 1,001 flowers!

Fitness freaks find a well-appointed gym with up-to-date equipment and skilled employees, fruit juices and herb teas complete the pleasant rejuvenation process.

The guest rooms and suites in the Club House accommodate golfers in the midst of their favourite sport while a rustic-type cafe caters to their every need. An obstacle course tests muscle- and willpower and jungle trails lead up into the hills, with the occasional glimpse of Kuching’s tall buildings, far far away...

To reach this highland paradise, travellers drive from Kuching to the Foothill Station. They are well advised to leave their cars there, and let experienced chauffeurs take them up in four-wheel drive vehicles. The road is scenic, each hairpin turn reveals another vista of mountains and mist-shrouded valleys. The trip itself is a pleasure, if viewed from the passenger seat!

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Highland paradise in Borneo
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Sarawak Nature Festival

NATURE was celebrated as the Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch and the Borneo Highlands Resort, with the support of Swinburne University Sarawak Campus, jointly organised the Sarawak Nature Festival.

Borneo Highlands Resort, the celebration’s host, is nestled along the border between Sarawak and Kalimantan, about 30km south of Kuching.

The five teams entering the Sarawak Bird Race 2012, the featured event, were waved off at 2pm on Sept 29 and handed over their log books to the judges – MNS Kuching Branch president Anthony Sebastian and well-known bird-watcher Daniel Kong – at 12pm the next day.

The wining team, MJC Birders, comprising Ng Jia Jee and Ng Yeow Tee, sighted 47 of the 200 known bird species in this Important Bird Area. Second place went to the Blue Birds, a father and son team, who sighted 18 birds, while third place went to mother-daughter team the Pink Birds, who sighted 15.

Ron Orenstein, a regular visitor to the shores of Sarawak, like the migratory species which escape the cold of the temperate winters, spoke of the natural wonders of the Penrissen Range and Borneo Highlands Resort.

Here rare birds, much sought after by the bird-watching world, are readily accessible. The small, pygmy white-eye, is rarely seen, but at the Borneo Highlands, it can almost always be sighted.

This area is one of the 22 Important Bird Areas in Sarawak. This internationally recognised designation is given by BirdLife International, a partnership covering about 170 countries. The recognition of these areas have many benefits beyond birds – bird populations, including species diversity and numbers, are an indicator of an area’s ecological health. Society benefits as these wild or semi-wild areas can act as rich ecological niches in the species poor environments created by man.

Nature and its importance was celebrated and highlighted in the other activities lined up. About 10 children and their parents were guided from the housing area, into a small forested area. They felt and saw first-hand, the magnificence of the mighty dipterocarps and the tree ferns that are indicative of the montane forest found at this altitude. Then they took the opportunity to visit the Herb Garden.

Many modern medicines have their roots in natural remedies and the traditional uses of several plants in the garden were discussed. Gingers for example have medicinal and culinary uses, not to forget species of onions. Junior Activities organiser Susan Teal found their enthusiasm invigorating – never a dull moment and never a dull question. Next the young birders participated in their own mini-bird race, but instead of sighting the real birds, they had to identify the birds from lifelike pictures.

Another of the many activities which took place on Sunday morning was a guided walk from the Kalimantan border along the Batu Panggah trail. This trail skirts the edge of the golf course, as it follows the international boundary. Ten walkers shared their knowledge of what makes this forest special: its location right on the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, its history during the Confrontation, (we saw a vast yellow meranti and other commercial dipterocarp species that characterised the forest before logging).

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak Nature Festival
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Bird race highlight of Sarawak Nature Festival 2012

KUCHING: The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Kuching branch and Borneo Highlands Resort will be holding the Sarawak Nature Festival 2012 (SNF) at the resort on the weekend of Sept 29.

According to a press statement, the highlight of this festival will be the Sarawak Bird Race 2012, which will be flagged off at 2pm from the Borneo Highlands Resort Clubhouse. The race will come to a close 22 hours later at noon on Sunday.

Apart from the bird race, there will also be a number of exciting nature-based, family-orientated activities during the two-day event.

On Saturday afternoon, visitors can choose to join guided nature walks or attend photography workshops, and star-gazing or a night walk in the evening, weather permitting.

Among the workshops that will be held include one by well-known Singapore-based nature photographer, educator and writer John Ariffin, who has travelled across Asia to document wildlife and cultures of Asia in search of a perfect moment to freeze in time.

On Sunday participants can learn to make hand cream from natural ingredients, join guided walks and attend more workshops. In addition, there will also be activities aimed at the junior members.

Recognised as an Important Bird Area in 2010 and one of the 55 Important Birds Areas in Malaysia, the Penrissen Highlands host several endemic and endangered species.

Sightings of eight of the endemic Bornean species have been documented at the Borneo Highlands Resort include exciting species such Bornean Barbet (Megalaima exima), Blue-banded Pitta (Pitta arquata) as well endangered trophy species such as the Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris).

The recognition of these areas have many benefits beyond birds, however, bird population, including species diversity and numbers, are an indicator of an area’s ecological health. Society benefits as these wild or semi-wild areas can act rich ecological niches in the species poor environments created by man, plus they can play important roles in the natural cycles, for example, water, carbon and nitrogen.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bird race highlight of  Sarawak Nature Festival 2012

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Turn Sarawak Bird Race into international event

KUCHING: The Malaysian Nature Sociey (MNS) has been challenged to turn its Sarawak Bird Race (SBR) into a full-fledged international event.

Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talip Zulpilip made the call yesterday when launching this year’s race, held together with Borneo Highlands Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort.

“From being a humble mini bird race four years ago, this event now has drawn bigger participation and the involvement of those from outside the state and nation.

“So it is fair enough to challenge the organiser to turn this event into a well known international event,” he said.

He pointed out that the Rainforest World Music Festival, which only drew around 300 festival-goers in its first year, has now reached 20,000 festival-goers from around the world.

“We at the Tourism Ministry are sure to assist in all possible ways to lure more to come and I also promise to put SBR in the state tourism calender next year,” he added.

On the event, Talip said bird-watchers are important to the state as they assist in keeping records of all the species found in Sarawak.

Continue reading at: Turn Sarawak Bird Race into international event
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Sarawak Bird Race: Bird and nature lovers set for an enjoyable weekend

KUCHING: It is going to be a big weekend for birds when the 4th Sarawak Bird Race kicks-off this Saturday at the Permai Rainforest Resort, and then ‘migrates’ to the Borneo Highlands Resort the next day.

It also promises to be a big weekend for bird and nature lovers, with side activities being planned for everyone, including adults and children and curious members of the public who wish to know more on birds and biodiversity.

There will also be nature talks by local and international bird experts at Permai Rainforest Resort on Oct 29, to start at 9.30am.

Nils Müller, a biology graduate from Lund University, Germany, who specialises in bird migration and genetics, will share his knowledge and experience about bird migration: why, when and how far they migrate, and how they orientate themselves along their migration route.

As a young lad, he was enthralled by the eerie but fascinating raptors while travelling through the Pyrenees, and his love for ornithology was sealed forever.

Muller believes that bird races are a great way to draw attention to the diversity of birds that surrounds us.

“Birds have the largest range of species on earth and many of them are found in our own backyard! I like to think that learning about birds means learning to appreciate nature and its value to the society,” he said.

He believes that having a majestic bird like the hornbill on the Sarawak Flag showed the inspirational power birds could give.

“With their capability to fly and cover great distances, birds can serve as a great indicator of the state of nature for example, the effects of global warming and human impacts to the fragile environment.

“As we struggle to save endangered birds, we may find that they could possibly provide solutions to save humankind from ourselves,” he said in a press release.

The Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch’s Bird Group is jointly holding the 4th Sarawak Bird Race with Borneo Highlands Resort and Rainforest Permai Resort.

The race aims to promote bird conservation, the importance of birds in the ecosystems and bird-watching activity among members and the general public. It also aims to promote the Bako-Buntal Bay and Penrissen Range, and Sarawak in general, as ideal places for bird-watching.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak Bird Race: Bird and nature lovers set for an enjoyable weekend

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Borneo Highlands Resort are birding havens in Sarawak

BORNEO Highlands Resort, Kubah National Park, Semenggoh Nature Reserve and Bako-Buntal Bay are birding havens as they are home to more than half of all bird species found in Sarawak.

Sarawak has 553 bird species out of which 312 are found in these sites, says Third Sarawak Bird Race patron Datuk Ose Murang.

He said 12 out of 37 endemic bird species could be found in these four sites.

“Borneo Highlands Resort is one of the few places where we still can find hornbills. Sarawak has eight hornbill species out of which four are found in this mountain range,” he said at the closing of Sarawak Bird Race at the resort, about 50km from Kuching on Sunday.

The resort is an “Important Bird Area” under Birdlife International.

Ose was glad to note that bird-watching had evolved from a favourite pastime to an environmental conservation activity in Sarawak and hoped that the annual race would garner more support from nature lovers and the government.

The presence of birds were important as the well being of the environment was indicated by the number of birds and bird species found in a particular site, he added.

Assistant Tourism and Heritage Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who closed the race, commended the organisers Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Borneo Highlands Resort for promoting conservation through an enjoyable activity.

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