UNESCO recognitions are catalysts for ecotourism in Sabah

KUNDASANG: The twin crown jewels of Sabah’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Kinabalu Park and the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, are catalysts for ecotourism for local communities and paves the way forward to building an environmentally sustainable future.

Minister of Sabah Tourism, Environment and Culture, Datuk Masidi Manjun said the two nature reserves, recognised as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO has enhanced the image of Sabah’s natural wonders which provided immense economic opportunities for local communities through ecotourism.

“The UNESCO status is global recognition for Sabah’s natural wonders and played a vital role in bringing socioeconomic growth for local communities, evident from the mushrooming number of small-scale homestays, handicraft stalls and cafes all along the road to Kinabalu Park,” beamed Masidi.

He said the recognition has placed Sabah on the world map, after Kinabalu Park was declared the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, while the second UNESCO Site named the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve in 2014.

“The way forward to implement conservation frameworks is centred on sustainable development which provides the platform for alleviating poverty, enhancing the livelihood of local communities,” Masidi said during his address at the Malaysia UNESCO Day 2017, yesterday.

With tourist arrivals at all-time high, Masidi pointed out the state’s booming tourism industry continues to grow at 3.4 million tourist arrivals in 2016, generating RM7.25 billion tourism receipts from RM6.61 billion in the previous year.

Continue reading at: UNESCO recognitions are catalysts for ecotourism in Sabah

.
.

Borneo Bird Club: 9th Borneo Bird Festival 2017

Borneo Bird Festival is one of the largest nature festival in Malaysia, a celebration of the magnificent birds of Borneo and its surrounding nature.

It is aimed to create public awareness to nature conservation, promote birdwatching, and encourage eco-tourism activities.

The 9th edition of this annual Festival will be held in the west coast of Sabah.

The Sabah Bird Race, where teams shall travel to the cool highlands of Crocker Range Park in search of the most species of birds along the hills and mountain ranges of Borneo.

At the end of the day, each team will experience the beauty of this land as they count the numbers of recorded species, and the longest list shall earn the prestigious credit and shall be declared the 'SABAH BIRD RACE' Champion!

Crocker Range Park is a known hotspot for Bornean hill and montane endemics, the Bornean Barbet, Bornean ibon, Bornean leafbird, Whitehead’s spiderhunter, Bornean banded pitta, Bornean falconet.

The Headquarters of the Keningau head-station of Crocker Range is frequented by birders and can be rewarded by Sunda Laughing Thrush, Chestnut-hooded Thrushes, the endemic Mountain Barbet, Bornean ibon, the smallest raptor in the world Bornean falconet, Bornean flowerpecker, Dusky broadbill, the migrant Mugimaki flycatcher.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics & Vid) at: Borneo Bird Club: 9th Borneo Bird Festival 2017

.
.

Tambunan – the Switzerland in our midst

TAMBUNAN: Tambunan these days is synonymous with deputy chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and the stop-over for motorists plying the old Kota Kinabalu-Keningau Road.

To some, Tambunan is associated with the tales of Mat Salleh, the man who fought the British colonialists. Photographers can never get enough of the rustic panoramic view of paddy fields when viewed from a vantage point as one approaches Tambunan from Kota Kinabalu.

But there are actually 15 good reasons why visitors should make Tambunan their next getaway, according to the Tambunan District Office which has been promoting Visit Tambunan Year 2017. It even dubbed the land-locked district 80 km from Kota Kinabalu as ‘Switzerland of the East’.

In1985, Tambunan was thrust into the political limelight when its famous son and now deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan was sacked from the then ruling Berjaya party and the district was ostracized, abrogated and isolated. What happened next has been described as the emergence of Kadazandusun nationalism driven by the so-called ‘Tambunan Spirit’, concluding with the shocking defeat of Berjaya. The rest, as they say, is history.

It’s more than three decades since Tambunan became famous but the district of about 25,000 people retains its easy, rustic village ambience with no major industry to speak of. There have been some attempts at developing industries using the bamboo found widely in Tambunan. But with no commercial planting, an ambitious chopsticks factory quickly ran out of supply. There was also an attempt at producing tapai (a homemade alcoholic brew made from rice) but that too fizzled out though Tambunan remains an important paddy growing district.

It is no surprise therefore that when it comes to attracting visitors, the district covering 134,540 hectares (almost twice the size of Singapore at 71,910 ha) is counting on most things natural.

Under the Visit Tambunan 2017 initiative launched by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman in November 2016, the Tambunan District’s tourism action council identified 15 attractions.

Located in a valley west of the Crocker Range and with most economic activities being agricultural, words such as ‘emerald’, ‘green haven’, and ‘sanctuary’ have been used to describe Tambunan. A 90-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu on the old winding road with numerous severe bends is a daunting challenge to faint-hearted drivers, what with the many heavy duty trucks that once plied the route. Many trucks have since chosen the straighter though no less hilly Kimanis Road to transport goods to and from Keningau.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Tambunan – the Switzerland in our midst
.
.

Climbing trail to peak of Tambunan mountain

TAMBUNAN: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said a climbing trail would be built to the summit of the 2,050-meter Mount Minduk Sirung in the district.

“I was informed that last year, 698 people climbed Mount Minduk Sirung,” he said when launching the third anniversary of the Crocker Range Park as a Human and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) at the Mahua sub-station here, yesterday.

He believed the opening of the Mount Minduk Sirung climbing trail and efforts to promote it could benefit the local community around Mahua.

Pairin, who is also the Infrastructure Development Minister, said the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (Unesco) recognition of the Crocker Range Park as an MAB Reserve on 12 June 2014 was another step forward taken by Sabah Parks towards the protection of the park and at the same time enhancing the local community’s sustainable use of forest resources.

According to him, the listing of Crocker Range Park and its surrounding areas as an MAB will provide opportunities for international cooperation to enhance the management of natural resources and the environment based on three things as follows:

“Minimizing the loss of biodiversity; increase the level of community awareness on how culture and biological diversity will affect life; and promoting environmental continuity through international relationship network as an MAB Reserve,” he said.

Pairin, who is also the member of parliament for Keningau said for this purpose, Sabah Parks, through the cooperation of the  government departments or agencies, together with the community around the Crocker Range Park  had been carrying out various activities since being listed as an MAB in 2014.

Continue reading at: Climbing trail to peak of Tambunan mountain

.
.

Calling all runners: The Sabah Salt Trail Challenge is back

KOTA KINABALU: Mercy Malaysia's Sabah Chapter is organising the Salt Trail Challenge fundraising event as part of its plans to provide better healthcare to local communities in remote villages.

The run will be held from Aug 12-13 at the Crocker Range Park, where many species of flora and fauna endemic to Borneo can be found.

With this year’s theme ‘Trail of Hope’, Mercy’s event coordinator Jerry Ong said the non-governmental organisation aims to raise RM80,000 to support Mercy’s activities.

“This challenge is unlike any other running event. We encourage nature and running enthusiasts to join in our Salt Trail Challenge for a good cause,” he told a press conference here today.

“Since 20013, we have provided primary health care services for the communities in Sabah. We have conducted more than 100 mobile outreach clinics throughout the state and conducted disaster relief responses.

“The (Salt) trail symbolised hope for the people in the olden days as they used this route to exchange their produce for salt. Today, it is a trail of hope to the communities to seek better healthcare facilities and education,” added Jerry.

He said Sabah Mercy has more than 700 volunteers who are mostly from the medical field, adding that the team will annually trek to isolated villages in far-flung areas to provide basic healthcare and awareness.

The run is being organised for the fourth time this year in collaboration with the state government conservation-based statutory body Sabah Parks and two other local NGOs, Sabah Amateur Radio Society and Partners of Community Organisations in Sabah (Pacos) Trust.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Calling all runners: The Sabah Salt Trail Challenge is back

.
.

Sabah state govt sets 2018 as 'Visit Keningau Year'

KENINGAU: The Sabah state government has set 2018 as ‘Visit Keningau Year’ with the theme, ‘The Hinterland Gem Of North Borneo’.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan disclosed this at the launch here on Tuesday of the 1Malaysia Voluntourism Programme under the National Blue Ocean Strategy by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He said the district has many natural attractions that could be economically developed as excellent tourism products such as the Crocker Range’s scenic highway, Laing Cave, Mandanan waterfall, and Bandukan and Minansut picnic spots.

Continue reading at: Sabah state govt sets 2018 as 'Visit Keningau Year'

.
.

Sabah Parks to empower native communities living in protected rainforests

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks aims to empower native communities living in protected rainforests to manage their natural resources sustainably while protecting the connecting Sabah’s biodiverse landscapes between the Mount Kinabalu World Heritage and the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve.

“This strategy is part of the initiative in forming community-conserved protected zones by integrating biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources throughout the Indigenous Community Conservation Areas (ICCA) under Sabah Park’s Kinabalu Ecolinc project,“ said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman.

The plan is to establish ecological linkages connecting the two national parks which are currently separated by state land as well as adopting ICCA approach to protect the forested areas while ensuring that local communities retain the rights to their bio-cultural values and enhance their livelihoods.

Speaking at the officiating ceremony of the 2nd Satoyama Initiativen Regional Workshop on Tuesday, Musa underlined the state government places a high emphasis to ensuring socioeconomic activities adhere to sustainable practices in the use of natural resources.

“Advancing the bio-cultural concept in managing natural resources is one of our strategies under the Sabah Biodiversity Strategy 2012-2022,”he said.

Among those who witnessed the officiating ceremony of the Satoyama Initiative Regional Workshop, include programme director Naoya Tsukamoto, IPSI Secretariat at the UNU-IAS, among others.

The workshop, hosted by the United Nations University for Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), the Secretariat of International Partnership for Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) gathers local and international researchers to discuss strategies on mainstreaming the Satoyama concept of ‘living in harmony with the environment’.

Musa said the theme of the workshop, ”Mainstreaming Concepts and Approaches of Socio Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes in Asia” is an fitting topic and expressed hope expressed hope that participants can exchange views with their international counterparts on applying the Satoyama concepts locally.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sabah Parks to empower native communities living in protected rainforests

.
.

More recognition awaits Kinabalu

Ranau: The Kinabalu Park is inching closer towards becoming the bearer of yet another of Unesco's recognitions with efforts to introduce the area as a Global Geosite.

Sabah Park Director Dr Jamili Nais said the proposal will once again harness the spirit of camaraderie between the State Government, Sabah Parks and the communities surrounding Mount Kinabalu towards achieveing the common good.

"Within Unesco there are three main recognitions, namely World Heritage Site, Global Geopark and as a Biosphere Reserve via the Man And Biosphere Programme.

"Kinabalu Park is already recognised as a World Heritage Site, while the Crocker Range Park has already been acknowledged as a Biosphere Reserve. That leaves us with one last recognition to attain, which is as a Global Geopark. And as far as I can recall, there is only one single place on earth where all three recognitions were successfully obtained, and that's Jeju Island in Korea," he said.

Jamili said should the effort to vie for the Global Goepark status from Unesco resulted in a favorable outcome, then we could laud to the whole world that Mount Kinabalu and Crocker Range have attained the coveted Unesco "Tripple Crown".

Jamili said this in his welcoming speech at the Kinabalu Geopark Proposal (Siri 1/2017) briefing that was held at the Rafflesia Meeting Room in Kinabalu National Park on Friday.

To make it all happen, four proffessors from the National Professors Council – Prof Emeritus Dato Dr Ibrahim Komoo, Prof Dr Che Aziz Ali, Prof Dr Sanuddin Tahir and Prof Dato Dr Norzaini Azman – were present at the briefing.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: More recognition awaits Kinabalu

.
.

Viewing tower opens for Visit Tambunan Year 2017

TAMBUNAN: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan yesterday opened the Tambunan Viewing Tower (or Pogimpaan Nuluhon Dandab costing RM500,000 in conjunction with the Visit Tambunan Year 2017.

The phase one and two of the tower were completed in December last year which enables the public especially tourists to see the beauty of Tambunan which is also known as ‘Switzerland of the east’.

The tower, designed in 2015, is the brainchild of Pairin who is also Infrastructure Development Minister, said Tambunan District Officer Thomas Logijin in an interview with the Borneo Post here yesterday.

He said the main objective of building the tower was to erect a landmark to promote Tambunan district as a tourist attraction in line with the Visit Tambunan Year 2017 (VTBN2017).

“It also aims to ensure that visitors could view 80 per cent of Tambunan Valley apart from enjoying the beauty of rice fields in this district.

“In addition to the comfort of clean and fresh air breeze from the Crocker Range and Mount Trus Madi we also see clearly the majestic Mount Kinabalu,” he said.

“The tower is also a leisurely recreation centre to visitors coming to this area.”

It took four months – August to December last year – to put up the tower which is sited on Trig hill at Kampung Dalungan here under the full supervision of the Tambunan District Office, he said

“The architect’s Impression Plan was originally issued by the Public Works Department in Kota Kinabalu but was redesigned by the Engineering Unit of Tambunan District Office.

“The architectural concept of the tower is based on the ‘Wakid’ and ‘Sigar’ as the roof of the tower (phase two). Materials used are iron and aluminum paint with golden colors such as green, yellow, gold and brown which reflects the bamboo color that Tambunan is famous for,” he said.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Viewing tower opens for Visit Tambunan Year 2017

.
.

Jipp's World: The Salt Trail - Into The Depths of Crocker Range

The Salt Trail – I grew up listening to my mother talking about it. Her story of how she as a child had to tag along behind her parents and a group of others to walk for days from her remote village in the far corner of Tambunan all the way to Tamparuli on the West coast of Sabah just to buy salt. It never failed to fascinate me every time.

She told me how she would usually be assigned to carry some of the food supply. She’d cry because it felt so heavy on her back and sometimes she’d get bitten by ants and all kind of insects along the way. They had to walk across mountains and hills and deep valleys through thick and dense forest. They’d stop whenever they felt like stopping usually when it was too dark to continue walking. They’d set up their temporary tents, usually by stacking banana leaves on tree branches under which they would take a nap before continuing walking the next day. I never get bored of listening to her stories about the Salt Trail as it is now known.

The idea of doing the salt trail had always been in my wish list for such a long time but it only got materialized when my application for 2-weeks Christmas and New Year holidays was surprisingly approved by my management. I hastily contacted my friend Frankie to ask if he could get a few more others to join. The rest as they say – is history. Heh.

We started our trek from the starting point in Tikolod on the Tambunan side, and walked all the way to a place called Kionob on the Penampang side where we stayed overnight before trekking on to a village called Terian – but not before crossing through a beautiful village called Buayan – to spend another night before continuing on to our last stop at Inobong Sub-station.

The trek between Tikolod and Kionob was quite a tough one for us especially for the fact that we didn’t hire any porter so we had to carry ourselves all the necessities to survive through 2 nights in the deep forest.  The forest really is so beautiful. It is so lush and green and mystical and mysterious that it quickly made me realize how blessed this land called Sabah is and that most of its beauty lies deep in its pristine forests. After all the forest that we trekked across is part of the Crocker Range which is a declared National Park.

I like to believe that it is a secondary forest though – a leftover of extensive logging activities in the past, just like most other forests in Sabah so it was a no surprise then that we didn’t even come across any wild animals. The only wildlife that we came across was a snake – probably a cobra, a very poisonous one according to the guide – and I almost freaked out when I spotted it because it was so close to being stepped on by one of my trekking buddies. Seriously, it could have been fatal. Phew.

But of course, the very first challenge that we came upon was the existence of so many leeches along the way. They’d crawl all over and they were almost impossible to avoid. We’d stop every now and then to take them out because who knows how much of our blood would be sucked out of our system if we let them suck for too long. The thing is, they tend to be very itchy and they’d bleed so profusely, leaving my skin with ugly scars that would stay there for weeks if not months (I’ve still got them now!).

One of my favorite things while trekking the Salt Trail was the food. I mean, we all know that food is tastier in a jungle but even more so if it is the right food that you eat. My trekking buddy Din really looked into that by bringing those kinds of food that really boost the appetite when eaten in the deep forest. The likes of fried salted fish, grilled wild boar meat, those foods that really really open the gate of appetite especially when eating in a jungle.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Jipp's World: The Salt Trail - Into The Depths of Crocker Range

.
.

Donggongon a town of contrasting scenes

The town of Donggongon in Sabah can very well be the definition of the word contrast.

Located on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu, Donggongan is the administrative centre of Penampang district.

Here, Sabah’s longest mall is just across the road from a tamu or traditional farmers’ market.

While the latest handphones and electronic devices as well as a supermarket chain can be found at the Megalong mall, it is a different scene altogether at the tamu across the road.

As they have been doing for generations, rural folk living along the Crocker Range and other areas bring their produce to the tamu.

Local vegetables such as losun or wild spring onions, bambangan or wild mango, tuhau or wild ginger, timadang or tarap fruit and karok freshwater fish are just some of myriad of local produce sold at the tamu held every Thursday.

Also to be found there are gongs, sigup or local tobacco and delicacies such as kuih pajaram or fried pancakes and kuih terang bulan or peanut pancakes.

For those looking for a more exotic fare, butod or insect larvae found in the sago palm is also available at the tamu.

The tamu that attracts hundreds of people to Donggongon as early as 6am every Thursday causes the weekly traffic slowdown in the town.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Donggongon a town of contrasting scenes

.
.

Crocker Range Festival replaces Pesta Koningau

KENINGAU: Crocker Range Festival will become an annual celebration here to replace Koningau Fair.

It aims to introduce the cultures of rural communities as well as help improve the local socio-economy and provide an opportunity for villagers to market their agricultural produce and local products.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman in his speech at the launch of the Keningau Crocker Range Festival 2015 at the school hall of SM Ken Hwa Keningau, on Saturday.

The text of his speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who is also Minister of Infra- structure Development.

Musa also welcomed the initiatives and efforts of the organisers to ensure the success of the festival by applying a varied and interesting concept.

“This festival is the best platform to continue to protect and uphold culture, especially for the younger generation and is a positive sign for a better future for the country and the people, especially in the context of further strengthening the spirit of unity and harmony,” he said.

Musa hoped the festival would continue to be a catalyst and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development, while strengthening the spirit of unity and solidarity to guarantee the stability, security and prosperity in Sabah.

Continue reading at: Crocker Range Festival replaces Pesta Koningau

.
.

‘I can’t believe I just did that’ - Aussie climbs Mt Kinabalu in Borneo

TACKLING the highest mountain in South-East Asia is difficult and challenging but you don’t have to be an experienced climber to do it.

Mt Kinabalu in Sabah, Borneo, towers 4095 metres above sea level. Its summit plateau is made up of sloping granite slabs and the climb, while not technically difficult, is a relentless upward slog.

Aussie Melissa Findley, 26, from the Gold Coast recently completed the climb and despite a fear of heights and a group bout of gastro, she says it was so beautiful it was almost overwhelming.

“The landscape is beautiful. You walk through lush, green, dense rainforest. You’ll come across swinging bridges, walk on stone paths and gaze at waterfalls. At one point we were walking across a bridge and the clouds enveloped us, it was magical! I felt like I had to stop every moment to take a photo. Every corner we turned was more beautiful than the next,” she said.

Unlike any other mountain on Earth, Mt Kinabalu is twice as high as its Crocker Range neighbour and has a summit made up of huge granite spires. Daunting to look at, the drawcard for most climbers is the reward at the top — a sunrise that is thought to be one of the most beautiful in the world.

Completing the climb with Geckos Adventures, Melissa endured an eight hour hike on day one before a night’s recuperation at a rest house on the hill. From there it was a 2am start to ensure climbers reached the sunrise at the summit.

“This was the most difficult part because it’s pitch-black and you are literally pulling yourself up a rope at times without seeing much at all! I looked around a few times and just saw this magical line of headlights from people climbing around me,” she said.

Mt Kinabalu and the surrounding areas are one of the most important biological sites in the world and is protected as a World Heritage Site. Unique flora and fauna as well as a chance to spot the famous Sabah Orangutans makes it a rare eco experience.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: ‘I can’t believe I just did that’ - Aussie climbs Mt Kinabalu in Borneo

.
.

Lots to do in Tamparuli

Pak pak kang ku doh, Sumunsui doh jambatan, Jambatan doh Tamparuli, Bakasut tinggi oku.

So goes the opening line of the Kadazandusun folk song called Jabatan Tamparuli.

The song dating back to the 1970s tells about how a young Kadazandusun lass garbed in her finest is heading to the weekly tamu at Tamparuli town on a Wednesday.

As she crosses the town’s suspension bridge, her high-heel shoes get stuck in the wooden planks and she can’t pull them out.

Left with her stockings, she can do little but to continue her trip to the tamu barefooted.

Like many Sabahans, veteran tour guide Daniel Doughty immediately thinks of that song whenever he hears the word Tamparuli, the name of a town about 35km from Kota Kinabalu.

The song brought fame to the town at the foothills of the Crocker Range.

Tamparuli is popular stop for travellers heading to the Kinabalu Park, Kundasang, Ranau and the east coast of Sabah as it is located along the Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan trunk road.

The suspension bridge has become an attraction in its own right as tourists love taking photographs of local folk using the swaying structure located about six metres above the Sungai Kiulu.

Just next to it is a low-lying bridge with vehicles crossing the river barely 0.3m above the waterline.

The normally quiet Tamparuli town is a hive of activity every Wednesday when the tamu or farmers’ market is held along the banks of the river.

There farmers from nearby villages bring their produce such as tuhau or wild ginger, local fruits such tarap and vegetables to be sold there.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Lots to do in Tamparuli

.
.

Crocker Range accorded Biosphere reserve status

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has officially declared 350,584 hectares of Sabah's Crocker Range Park comprising its core and buffer zones and an expanded transition zone as a Man And Biosphere (MAB) reserve aimed at improving man's relationship with his ecosystems through education and science.

This historic declaration for Sabah marks the second of such honour for Malaysia, after Pahang's Lake Chini on December 8, 2009, out of a total of 620 in the world.

So, it's a very rare breed in the country. Amidst fanfare and pomp of Unesco Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka last Saturday, Unesco Regional Director Professor Dr Hubert Gizjin presented Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin a certificate of recognition which officially declares the 75km long and 15km wide Crocker Range Park as a MAB reserve.

The event has enlarged the original protected core and buffer zones from 199,000 hectares (1,444.92 sq km) to 350,584 hectares by an inclusion of 1457.79 sq km of forest reserves encompassing eight districts - Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Tenom, Keingau, Tambunan and Ranau. Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, later handed the designation certificate to Sabah's Assistant Culture, Tourism and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Nyuk Ming, who represented his Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, witnessed by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap.

Effectively, this declaration makes Crocker Range Biosphere part of the Sweden's Jonkoping University, known for being the most international university with an extensive exchange partners of 350 universities worldwide, which may prove a good helping hand to share insights and skills on working out a roadmap to improve the protection of Sabah's stock of ecosystems that are under stress.

But unlike the Kinabalu Park which is a totally protected area, the Crocker Range Park hitherto featured Community Use Zones defined areas where traditional human activities may be continued under an innovative co-management system to manage part of the core zones and also the buffer zones, agreed between the protected area or Park Authority and the local communities, in recognition that they were there before the park was established.

What's new about the Crocker Range Biosphere reserve is that it will henceforth incorporate the eight districts afore-cited, into the decision making process where development is going to be based on verified scientific research and continual monitoring. But besides terrestrial ecosystems, biosphere reserves also include the coastal ecosystems.

Continue reading at: Crocker Range accorded Biosphere reserve status

.
.

Sabah's Crocker Range approved as biosphere reserve under Unesco

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s 350,854ha Crocker Range has been approved as a Biosphere Reserve by the International Coordinating Council for Biosphere Reserve (CRBR), a programme under Unesco.

“The 26th meeting of the coordinating council at Jonkoping University in Sweden gave its unanimous approval for Crocker Range,” said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun in a statement.

He said the Malaysian delegation was headed by Natural Resource and Environment Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Zoal Azha Yusoff, while the state government was represented by Sabah Parks director Jamili Nais and Sabah Biodiversity Centre director Dr Abdul Fatah Amir.

He said the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve covers 350,584ha of terrestrial ecosystems and natural landscapes, making it the largest protected area in Malaysia.

“I am proud to say that this is the third international recognition for Sabah and reflects our strong commitment to protect and conserve nature for future generations,” said Masidi.

Kinabalu Park was made a World Heritage site in 2000 and Ulu Segama-Kinabatangan a Ramsar Site in 2009.

“The CRBR is not only crucial for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, but also in providing water resources for the more than one million population within the west coast and interior parts of Sabah,” he said.

More importantly, CRBR is a platform for sustainable development, where interaction and involvement of people in the decision-making process is compulsory, and development is based on continuous scientific research and monitoring.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sabah's Crocker Range approved as biosphere reserve under Unesco

.
.

Did it snow on the summit of Mount Kinabalu?

KOTA KINABALU: Did it snow at Mount Kinabalu just before dawn on Jan 17 when temperatures dipped to -3°C?

A report submitted to Sabah Parks by their head ranger Martin Mogurin indicated that there were signs of snow at the summit area of the 4,101m-high mountain along the Crocker Range around 4am.

Martin said guides at the mountain submitted a report but were unable to back it up with pictures as it was dark. Sabah Parks officials are trying to verify the report.

Sabah Parks chairman Tengku Zainal Adlin, who has climbed every face of Mount Kinabalu in the last five decades, is not surprised over the snow report.

Zainal said that ice on the mountain was common, especially in the early hours of the morning.

Sabah Parks director Paul Basintal said he was gathering information but he has his doubts about the snow.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Did it snow on the summit of Mount Kinabalu?

.
.

Mount Kinabalu - In the realms of Pluto

MOUNT Kinabalu, rising majestically to its summit of 4,011 metres at Low’s Peak, dominates the Sabahan landscape.

What are the origins of this mountain and how did this distinctive landscape evolve?

Even today this mountain is continuing to rise at the rate of five centimetres each year. In the Millennium Year, I climbed to Low’s Peak and subsequently it has reached another half metre higher, give or take more recent natural weathering and erosion processes. This mountain still rises!

Only if we think in geological time can we begin to understand how the beauty of this mountain has slowly evolved.

It is difficult to think back one million years let alone 35 million BP (Before Present), when in Eocene times, most of Sabah was below sea level with sandstone, siltstone and other deposits flushed from the land and dumped onto the sea bed.

Through plate tectonic (mountain building) movements these deep sea sediments were squashed together and heaved up, out of the sea bed, to create the Crocker Range, which runs through Sabah in a northeast to southwest alignment at an average height of 610 to 910 metres.

About 15 million years BP, during the Pliocene period, as one plate slid under another, the heat generated by the friction of one plate diving against another in the subduction zone melted deep seated rock.

This molten rock, of less density than the surrounding rocks rose upwards as a huge bulb-like formation to create a pluton. (The very word pluton is derived from the mythological Greek God of the Underworld – Pluto.)

This injection or intrusion of molten magma into the base of the Crocker Range pushed up the overlying rock to create the mountain.

Subsequently, erosion of the overlying rocks has exposed the cooled granite-type surfaces as we see today.

The pluton is still rising and injecting magma into the mountain’s base, hence the gradual increase in the height of Low’s Peak. Rest assured, the upward movement is imperceptible and at no risk to climbers.

In the gradual intrusion process of the granite-type rock into the Crocker Range sedimentary rocks, the latter changed in composition through the great heat of the magma into metamorphic rocks such as quartzites and slates especially on the edge of the granite-type intrusion.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Mount Kinabalu - In the realms of Pluto

.
.

Scenic Adventures in Borneo

Arriving into the capital city Kuching where the cultural heart of Borneo lies, this adventurous journey can start with a calm walk around the waterfront of the city.

Before beginning the adventurous exploration of Borneo’s best scenic trails fit in some of the cultural and traditional architecture whilst in the relaxing ambience of the city.

The colonial buildings, built around the 17th century are a perfect example of the heritage and culture of the island.

Kota Kinabalu

The long paradise beaches that continue forever, the colorful coral reefs and the tropical rain forests make up this increasingly popular resort destination.

Most impressively is Mount Kinabalu which lies on the West coast of the Sabah city in the Kinabalu National Park.

Gaze on the most spectacular views from Borneo’s highest point of the 13,400 foot peak overlooking the South China Sea, which is Malaysia’s tallest.

Crocker Range National Park

Close by Kota Kinabalu (90 miles away), with equally adventurous activities, is the jungle trekking exploration of Crocker Range National Park.

Over 75 km in length and 15 km wide, this park has plenty to discover.

The park also has a peak for keen hikers at Mount Alab.

The natural plants that grow here are a perfect setting for the trek that diverse from mossy forests to bright, vivid tropical vegetation.

The wildlife is equally as diverse even homing 3 endangered animals; the Orang-Utan, the Sun Bear and the Clouded Leopard.

There are plenty of facilities to assist the less experienced on the trekking trails, as there are 4 major routes you can go with a guide or just request information.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Scenic Adventures in Borneo

.
.

Sunset Cruise along Malohom Bay, Borneo

As enchanting as sunrises are, sunsets are truly bewitching. That unique moment when the sun disappears below the western horizon is truly exceptional when you share it with someone special. Experiencing the vibrant colours painted across Mother Nature’s canvas with Joseph by my side was so magical and what made it even special was that we were aboard a luxury yacht called the Lumba Lumba at Gaya Island Resort.

Once back from our romantic picnic, we made way to the jetty to hop on the resort’s speedboat that would take us further out into the sea to board the elegant 64-foot fiberglass beauty that swayed at its moorings.

Despite nonchalantly kicking off my sandals at the bottom deck of the yacht in nautical expert fashion, I stumbled into Joseph and another sailing companion  teasingly commenting that a fully qualified landlubber had arrived. As the deck surface is shiningly polished with varnish, and can be easily marred and damaged by the bottom of your Manolo heels or sandy flip flops, everyone on board the Lumba Lumba were asked to remove their footwear.

The Sunset Cruise by Gaya Island Resort only caters to 12 people or 6 couples at a time and cruising time is decided by the Captain based on the day’s sunset timings. As the sky turned rather cloudy with several threats of thunderstorms, I was pessimistic on what sort of sunset we were going to witness that evening.

I continued towards the upper deck with an uncontrollable quickstep  to the sway of the yacht, somehow balancing my camera in one hand as everyone chose a seat and got ready to set sail around Malohom Bay.  Lesser Fish Eagles circled the skies and Hornbills squealed from treetops as though heralding the triumph of another day as the sun started its final bow from behind the cloud curtains.

With the majestic expanse of the Crocker Range and Mount Kinabalu in the distance we cruised at a speed of 16 knots, completely mesmerised.

As our aperitifs were served, the Captain started to describe our surroundings. We gazed at the crystalline waters and began to see the appeal of chartering a yacht; either for a family holiday or simply for a romantic cruise for two. The exhilarating feeling you feel on an open sea especially during sunset is an experience that can never be paralleled on land.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Sunset Cruise along Malohom Bay, Borneo

.
.