Mardi Gras Lambir 2017 to be tourism extravaganza

MIRI: The ‘Mardi Gras Lambir 2017’ organised by the Iban Community Leaders Association of Miri is set to become a tourism extravaganza for the Lambir constituency.

Association chairman Pemanca Wilson Siang Lim is confident that the carnival which will be held on May 13 will help to develop the tourism potential in Lambir.

“The Mardi Gras Lambir 2017 actually is a rebranding programme for Pesta Rakyat which our association has been organising the last few years.

“For this year, the carnival which will be held at the school field of SK Lambir is organised in collaboration with Miri City Council (MCC), Special Affairs Department (Jasa), YB DUN Lambir Service Centre and YB Parliament Sibuti Service Centre as the main sponsors for the carnival,” he said in a press conference on the carnival yesterday.

Wilson, who is also the organising chairman, said the MCC has included the carnival in its May Fest calendar of events this year.

“We are expecting thousands of people to flock to the carnival which will be held for the whole day.

“Various activities have been lined up for the carnival such as folk games/telematch, development exhibition by government agencies, public health check, entertainment segment and booths selling foods, drinks and local products.”

The highlight of the carnival is a parade where at least 30 contingents from various longhouses and association representatives will be taking part.

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Bornean Frog Race a giant leap for mankind

MIRI: The frog, although not given the same status as the Hornbill in Sarawak which is recognised as the state’s bird, commands considerable attention from the global community.

While frogs are valued as food by humans with many cultural roles in literature, symbolism and religion, its population is said to have declined significantly since the 1950s.

One of the global efforts conceived and coordinated by SAVE THE FROGS! is the ‘Save The Frogs Day’ — the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation action.

The objective is to raise the appreciation and celebration of amphibians by people from all walks of life.

Frogs are biologically known as an indicator species and gives scientists an invaluable insight into how an ecosystem is functioning. Because it is both a predator and prey, many animals are affected by it and thus, frogs provide an insight into the health of the ecosystem.

In Sarawak, this year the ‘Save The Frogs Day’ was observed by organising the 5th International Bornean Frog Race held on April 30 at Lambir Hills National Park, Miri, one of the world’s most complex and diverse forest eco-systems.

Fifth International Bornean Frog Race

Listed on the tourism calendar of events by the Ministry of Tourism Sarawak and Tourism Malaysia, the International Bornean Frog Race was organised to draw attention to the world’s declining amphibian population and the urgent need for its conservation.

It was organized jointly by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation and the Faculty of Creative and Applied Arts of University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

Among the activities held were talks, workshops, exhibitions and culminating with the ‘Frog Race’, offering a total of RM5,000 in prize money.

The race attracted 103 ‘frogging’ enthusiasts from 12 countries — Malaysia, India, New Zealand, Sweden, US, China, Germany, Pakistan, Japan, France, Holland and Curacao.

“The number of participants for the race had to be pegged down to 100 due to the sensitivity of the frogs and its habitat to mass presence of humans at any one time walking around with flash lights and cameras clicking away for a good two hours of the night,” a spokesman for the organisers told The Borneo Post.

List of Prize winners in 5th International Bornean Frog Race

A total of nine frog species were photographed during the race and only one rare species was photographed. It is the Rough-sided Frog (Pulchrana glandulosa) photographed by Hamir Kiprawi.

He consequently won the Rarest Amphibian Photographed. He also photographed all nine frog species and thus won the category for the Most Number of Amphibian Species Photographed as well as the Best Photo Taken with Mobile Phone.

Winners in the category for Best Photo Taken with DSLR camera respectively were Badiozaman Sulaiman (champion), Phui Chun Hwa (2nd); Yong Hock Chai (3rd); Compact Camera category was won by Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail.

The Special Awards for Most Enthusiastic Participant was won by Muhammad Shavez Cheema while the Conservationist Award went to Lambir Hills National Park (Kamal Abdullah/Januarie Kulis).

For the most number of amphibian species found and rarest amphibian found categories, the winner received RM1,000 and certificate each; while Best Photo via DSLR camera first to third place received RM1,000; RM500 and RM300 respectively plus certificate; for Compact Camera and Smartphone, winner took home RM400 each plus certificate.

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Lambir Hills National Park Miri to host 5th Bornean Frog Race

The annual Bornean Frog Race is back for the 5th year, this time at Lambir Hills National Park in Miri on April 30.

The Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and its partner, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, urges all Malaysia Nature Society members, as well as the public to take part in the event.

Participation is limited to 100 and already half have been taken up.

The Bornean Frog Race aims to draw the public attention to the region’s rich amphibian fauna, and at the same time, targeting children for special education programmes on nature conservation and amphibian protection.

The race is celebrated on the last weekend of April since 2012 and four editions have been held.

The event coincides with the annual ‘Save the Frogs Day’, a global event celebrated via 270 events in over 30 countries worldwide, to highlight conservation issues facing the world’s amphibians.

The event includes talks by local and foreign experts on amphibian biology and conservation, exhibition of frog-related memorabilia, workshops and frog photography and drawing and painting, both by leading experts in the region.

The finale of the event is a photographic race, whereby participants race along a pre-designated forest trail, and try to photograph the most number of frog species, the rarest frog or photographically capture the most aesthetic image, via DSLR, compact camera or smartphones.

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More needs to be done for Miri to be choice tourist destination

MIRI: While the whole nation is celebrating the biggest and grandest tourism event – the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 – there should be more introduction on Miri City which grew from a quiet fishing village, and known as a hundred-year-old oil town which was elevated to city status and later made popular as a resort city.

Commonly known among nature explorers as a transit to Niah Caves located about an hour’s drive from the city centre, ground checks by The Borneo Post found that local residents seem not to have the best idea on how to introduce the city to visitors.

“Despite working in the hospitality and hotel industry, I personally have a similar problem when approached by tourists and friends who asked on tips to tour around Miri City,” Nicholas Jong, an advertising and promotion executive in a local hotel here shared with The Borneo Post.

Shopping, he insisted, is not the main priority for holidaymakers, particularly those from western countries, Japan, Korea and also China, who would prefer to spend painstaking long hours on the road, just to get to places like Lambir Hills National Park and Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort, not forgetting the nearest sightseeing place – the Crocodile Farm in Kuala Baram.

For Jong, a hotel front desk office plays an important role in introducing the right places of interest to tourists.

“Front desk receptionists need to prepare relevant information to promote Miri, its history and tourist spots. Basically, all the recommended places are available in visitor brochures, unless travellers seek more adventurous experience,” he explained.

He lamented that transportation in Miri is unfortunately a major problem unlike in other cities, as hotels here usually prepare shuttle buses or vans specifically for going to and fro the airport but not for touring around the city.

“Options like public buses meet problems as there are no clear instructions on the bus route and the expensive taxi ride would exhaust the wallet, thus tourists especially backpackers prefer to walk to get to places.”

“Perhaps, expanding the tourism business to bicycle or car rental with affordable prices or offering day tour shuttle buses could be a great idea, which both the government and private sector should seriously consider,” he suggests.

A representative, William (not real name), from the Visitors’ Information Centre here revealed to The Borneo Post that Miri has a consistent flow of visitors.

“On a monthly basis, Miri has an average record of nearly 200 travellers and backpackers coming in seeking for information and advice. During peak season, the number could reach up to 400 travellers in a month,” he said.

Asked on the most popular destination for tourists, he said Mulu was still the top choice, with Niah Caves in Batu Niah in second place while diving sports at Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park has quickly gained popularity among diving enthusiasts.

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Limestone caverns of Northern Borneo

THE CITY OF MIRI rallies around shops, houses and parking lots. All of which provide convenience, shelter and landscape typical of a city but lacking Sarawak authenticity. However, beyond city limits, the rumbles of the forest and the marvels of nature capture Sarawak’s essence.

When I have guests who are nature enthusiasts, I am never in a quandary as to where to take them. The waterfalls of Lambir, the caves of Niah and sunsets on the beach are my usual selling points. Without need for much convincing, they are willing to explore all three options and almost always, the caves trump the other two, for its unique experience.

Upon reaching Niah National Park, the trail begins after crossing Sungai Niah by boat. Dipterocarp species of Red Meranti and Tapang and the distinct call of the Chestnut Rumped Babbler invite you to explore the forests that surround the caves. The trail involves a plank walk which meanders through the forest and eventually into and through the Traders Cave, the Great Cave and the Painted Cave, in that order.

An interesting phenomenon to look out for on the forest trail is the appearance of relatively small limestone outcrops on either side of the plank walk. Individually, the outcrops resemble giant anthills with roots of trees buttressing and anchoring out of them. In a cluster, they resemble a miniaturized version of Angkor Wat. These outcrops constitute the limestone forest and indicate that the caves are nearby. Looking up at this point on the trail, through the canopy, one can see the steep slopes of the Gunung Subis limestone massif.

By now, eager to see the caves, my step usually picks up speed. The trail which until now was flat starts to incline and rise away from the forest floor.

Even though I am fully expecting to enter the first cave on this trail, at the moment when the entrance shows itself to me, it always feels like I am chancing upon it for the first time. The wooden beams at the entrance of the Traders Cave are remains of homes and shops that belonged to previous inhabitants. Ideas of living in a cave start to take over when I see the spectacular view of Gunung Subis laden with dipterocarp trees in the distance. What a sight to wake up to! But the reality of living here was minimalist housing for the sake of making big bucks in the bird nest and guano business.

The exploitation of black nests in Niah began less than 200 years ago. The bird nests sought after belong to swiftlets, more specifically the black-nest swiftlets (Aerodramus Maximus). Made out of the saliva and feathers of swiftlets, these nests are believed to have rejuvenating and cosmetic virtues when consumed.

They fetched a good price in the market and its trade became the backbone of the economic development of Niah town. Peaking at 18,500 kg per year in 1931, it accounted for 70% of the total production of black nests in Sarawak. While trade exchanges carried on in this cave, the actual collection of the nests from unimaginable heights took place in the Great Cave.

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Vital to protect Lambir Hills

MIRI: Efforts must be made to ensure that Lambir Hills National Park is protected and preserved.

Assistant Minister of Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the park is one of the richest in terms of biodiversity in the state.

He said it has attracted thousands of scientists from all over the world and is a research and training ground for scientists and researchers from world-renowned universities such as Kyoto, Harvard and Oxford.

“It is important that in our eagerness to develop ourselves, we do not neglect the need to preserve the rich biodiversity that we have here,” Len said in a speech for the closing ceremony of ‘Nature n U 2013’ yesterday.

His speech was read by Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat.

Len said the camp’s theme ‘Living in a resort city’ was ideal for Miri, which has the potential to generate a huge amount of tourism revenue.

“I hope that Mirians will continue to treasure it and make full use of this park, which is practically in the backyard, for educational and recreational purposes,” he said.

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Similajau Park mind-blowing for tourist who’s ‘park-hopping’

BINTULU: The Similajau National Park (SNP) with its golden sandy beach and lush green forest has been receiving a rising number of visitors over the years.

The park, which is located 30 km north-east of the Bintulu town, has been a popular destination especially during weekends and public holidays.

Last year, the park received a total of 13,068 visitors where 11,945 of them were locals and the rest foreigners, where the peak months are August and September.

Leah Hollmayer, whose travel plan in Sarawak is to hop from one national park to another, told BAT3 that this was the second national park in the state she had visited.

“I just came from Bako National Park and I will be staying here for two days. My next stop is Niah National Park and later Lambir National Park,” said Hollmayer who is touring with her 20-month old daughter Inga.

The Canadian said that despite visiting and staying at two national parks, she still finds the national parks fascinating.

“It is a mind blowing experience. And each national park is different from another, the vegetation and the setting, for example,” said Hollmayer.

The Similajau National Park has been known as a spot to watch dolphins which usually appear in the morning in groups of three or five.

Gazetted in 1976 as a conservation site to protect the flora and fauna, the park covers an area of 8,996 hectares, where vegetation ranging from littoral fringe, ‘heath forest’ or Kerangas forest and Mixed Dipterocarp Forest.

Littoral fringe consisted of rock and cliff vegetation, beach vegetation and mangrove forest while Kerangas forest supports stunted trees and scrub-like vegetation.

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Sarawak national parks to have modern canteens, info centres and shops

KUCHING: The Bako, Semenggoh and Lambir national parks will be upgraded to provide better facilities for visitors.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the parks would be equipped with modern canteens, information centres and souvenir shops.

“The rooms and accommodation will also be upgraded,” he told a press conference after chairing a briefing with state tourism industry players here yesterday.

He noted that some of the facilities at the national parks were not up to the mark.

For instance, he said there was no souvenir shop at Semenggoh where visitors could buy orang utan-themed handicrafts and items like key chains.

Besides upgrading the national parks, Johari said other infrastructure development projects would also be implemented to boost the tourism sector.

He said these included a study on establishing a heritage zone in the old city centre and providing good infrastructure along the Sarawak River to optimise its beauty and attraction.

In addition, he said a study was being done on developing a tourism belt from the Santubong and Bako peninsula to Teluk Melano in Sematan.

“This development will take 10 to 15 years. It will include modern accommodation and tourism infrastructure but will be planned with our national parks in mind.

“It will become our thrust in ecotourism promotion. What we want to do is to give a certain level of comfort to our tourists in accommodation, planned on ecotourism,” he said.

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Lambir Hills National Park, Miri, Sarawak, Borneo

I’ve climbs quite a lot of mounts in Kuching, like the Santubong, Matang, Sentah, Gading, Singai, and etc. Some of the mount was really challenging when going up to the summit, but non of the mounts are as tough as the Lambir Mount. By far that’s the toughest one I’ve ever climb!!!

When we go hiking on mountain trails, normally its just ascend, then descend. But if your at Lambir, its not consistent, you may ascend at start, then descend until the foot hill, then have to ascend again. Just when we tough its flat trail ahead, it surprise us with some hidden trails, some rope climb, some river crossing, or ascend a steep and long trail.

I was at Lambir Hills National Park on the start of Feb 2013, that’s just when my long Chinese New Year Holiday started. It’s a place that I always want to visit, so I asked my younger brother “Jye” to come along. He likes jungle trekking like me, so both of us make the perfect team.

We started our journey at around 7.15AM from Miri town, and it took us nearly ½ hour drive to reach the Lambir National Park. We paid RM10 each for the entrance fees, and off we go. Here I would like to highlight about the entrance, there are two. One it’s at the back of the hostel (1.5 KM to a checkpoint), and another one it’s at the main entrance at the front of the park HQ (2.2 KM to the same checkpoint).

The differences are 0.7 KM, but this can save you a roughly one hour of very tough walking distant. My brother and I don’t know about the short route, so we just ascend by using the main entrance.

Upon entering, we’re welcome by a bridge, which link us to the other side of the hill. At first it was still an enjoyable walk, I lead and my brother follow. At the Lambir park, there are 7 - 8 recorded waterfall. Along the way there are also lots of small waterfalls which are not recorded in the map.

Then we reach a suspension bridge, and just not far from the suspension bridge we reach the first waterfall. We stop by for a while to take some photos and video, our goal is to reach the Lambir Mount summit. So off we go after a short break.

Along the way, we encounter two waterfall, they have no names. On the map they only marks as Waterfall 1, and Waterfall 2.

 After that, we need to hike up on the concrete staircase, and then we reach another waterfall. There are no signboard on it, so not sure what is the name. Then, we pass the famous Latak Waterfall, to save time, we did not visit Latak waterfall. I told Jye that we just come back next time for this waterfall.

The Latak waterfall it’s the most visited waterfall in Lambir Park here, the water is clear, and cozy I can see why people like it here.

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The crown of Lambir Hills

About 30 minutes south of Miri along the Miri-Bintulu Road, a forest-covered crown of irregular shaped hills engulfs motorists as they speed south. Many do stop to visit the Lambir Hills National Park. The main attraction is Latak Waterfalls, an easy 20-minute stroll from the park headquarters, but this astounding park is much more.

It is an oasis of biological diversity; it is a reserve of the giants of the mixed dipterocarp forest that once covered much of Sarawak. It is a place to reconnect with the natural world … it is a place of peaceful beauty.

Lambir Hills National Park encompasses 6,952ha of relatively rugged, mainly sandstone hills, that can be clearly seen from a distance. Lambir means the crown (comb) of a rooster and this is an apt description.

Latak Waterfalls, a popular destination for weekend visitors, was our introduction to the park. As we strolled on the flat trail along a shallow stream in the Latak Valley, we embraced the coolness of the lowland mixed dipterocarp forest and the vast array of the plants. Unseen insects and birds serenaded us and other visitors.

Some plants just cannot be missed and one is the dramatic shaggy red-barked selunsor in Malay (Tristaniopsis sp), which has bark that peels off leaving a mound at its base. This tree is a member of the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, with a wide distribution ranging from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.

The shallow stream flowed over the sandstone, which in places were like steps creating mini-waterfalls. The water seeped through the ferns that carpeted the stream bed – nature at its best. A distinctive Rajah Brooke’s birdwing butterfly (Trogonoptera brookiana) with black wings and startling lime green markings, flitted past as we stopped to admire the waterfalls. It is a Cites II species and thus international trade is restricted.

Latak Waterfalls, a favourite bathing spot, is shaded and cooled by the forest – a truly lovely place. The water plunges 25 metres in a deep pool that is perfect for a swim.

However, we decided to explore a small part of the rest of the park and thus we returned to the cement stairs and slowly climbed the thousand steps (a slight exaggeration) as we started along the Pantu Trail. This 2.2km trail continues along high ground through the forest. The closed canopy of the large trees allows very little light to get through, thus the understory there is relatively clear.

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Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort experiences influx of visitors

MIRI: The Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort recently experienced an influx of visitors who were keen to get back to nature.

The 780-acre eco-tourism resort is located next to Lambir National Park, 36km from Miri city. Last Saturday, 240 Hashers took part in the Miri Hash House Harriers’ 12th Borneo Ball Breaker Run.

Runners from Germany, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Brunei and across Malaysia joined the 23km jungle run flagged off by Miri Hash House Harriers chairman Daniel Francis Fosythe.

The resort also hosted association, school and church group members including from Recollection Gerempung Sembayang Iban Miri (112 members), Kolej Tuanku Haji Bujang (149 teachers and students), Methodist Church Limbang (60 members), SMK 3 Rivers Mukah (61 teachers and students) and SK Chung San (24 teachers and students).

The natural setting of the pristine and lush Lambir Hills tropical rainforest makes for a perfect retreat for relaxation and the revitalisation of body, mind and spirit.

Resort owner Henry Law said visitors are also attracted to the resort’s open water park, which is the first of its kind in Malaysia.

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RM38m to upgrade tourist facilities in Sarawak

KUCHING: Sarawak plans to spend RM38 million in the next five years to upgrade tourist facilities at four of the state's popular national parks.

They are Gunung Gading, Bako, the Kuching Wetlands and Lambir. The money will also go towards maintaining areas with tourism potential like the Bau limestone caves.

State Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said one of the major upgrades at Bako National Park were accommodation facilities.

He said the accommodation at the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC)-managed park was woeful.

"Look at Bako National Park, a very nice, very renowned national park but unfortunately, the facilities are not as expected," he said after the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) meeting here on Monday.

The park, the state's oldest and also the smallest, is approximately 40km from here.

Covering an area of 27.27sq km and situated at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula, the park boasts a spectacular coastline of steep sandstone cliffs, rocky headlands and stretches of white, sandy bays.

The park, which can only be reached by a 20-minute boat ride from Kampung Bako, also boasts abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls and trekking trails.

"The accommodation must be of certain standard. They must be clean with basic facilities," said Abang Johari.

He said RM5 million had been allocated to upgrade the facilities at Bako. He also said the bureaucratic management style of the parks would be disposed off to make it "more in line with the private sector practice".

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River cruise in Sibuti soon

MIRI: Sibuti possesses vast tourism potential, and the government intends to tap it by initiating a river cruise package of sorts for a start.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said such a package would enable tourists to enjoy the natural beauty and, if they are lucky, catch sight of crocodiles basking by the river banks of Sibuti River.

“This new product is one of the government’s efforts to promote the tourism sector in Sibuti, which comprises Lambir, Bekenu and Niah.

“With the great natural beauty and uniqueness of the local cultures here, I have high confidence that this product will help change the landscape of at least Bekenu town,” he said at a function in Bekenu recently to present People Friendly Houses (RMR).

To go with this proposed package, Abang Johari said his ministry was going to build a waterfront project in Bekenu.

However, he did not divulge details of this proposed plan other than saying that it would complement existing tourism promotions to boost Miri’s image as a resort city.

At present, Sibuti’s attractions include Lambir National Park, Niah National Park, Bungai Beach, and Bakam Beach.

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Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival to stay in Kuching but with new approach next year

The excitement from the just-concluded Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) is still felt amongst visitors.

Now, it is going to get little bit hotter.

Rumour has it that the next edition of the state’s annual signature event will no longer be held in its birth city, Kuching.

Instead, it is going to be shifted to Miri, specifically to a venue that shares the festival’s namesake.

The Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort (BTRR), nestled deep in the Lambir forest about 33km from the city, is touted to be the next site for the RWMF.

To find out more about this, The Star yesterday contacted BTRR owner, Henry Law Ing Hua, who was quite surprised with the news.

He said: “No, I have not heard about this. However, we did request for RWMF to be brought over to Miri two years ago but it was turned down on the ground that it would be too costly for the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) to hold the festival here.”

Nevertheless, Law said if the news turned out to be true, he would be truly delighted because having the festival here would take Miri tourism to a different height and not to mention, “a great bonus for BTRR”.

“I did have guests who came here recently asking me why I did not get some of the performers from the RWMF to perform at my place. They said our location will be suitable for the event.

“In my opinion, BTTR is surrounded by the forest and is away from the city centre. It has retained certain spiritual charms much like those in a rainforest. But at the same time, the outfit may not be able to accommodate the huge crowd of the RWMF, which has grown from year to year,” he pointed out.

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Sarawak Tourism mulls ways to market Borneo Jazz Festival

MIRI: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will adopt new approaches to promote and market Borneo Jazz Festival next year in conjunction with Visit Sarawak Year 2013 and the 50th anniversary of the state’s independence through Malaysia.

Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg told reporters before joining the revellers at Borneo Jazz Festival 2012 on Friday that the event had received very positive response from jazz fans.

“We have been doing this (holding the Festival) for the past seven years, and the response has gradually increased. Next year, we want to change a bit in organising this festival because we want to share all we have with our guests from overseas.”

This meant STB had to prepare early and produce a package that would link music to the state’s attractions, especially those in Miri.

“Our selling point now is that Borneo, particularly Sarawak, is a place where adventure lives. We want to link this adventure to people enjoying adventurous lives. While listening to jazz music at night and daytime they can go either to Niah Caves or Lambir National Parks.”

While in Lambir National Park, tourists could appreciate music from the birds and nature, such as the wind, streams and waterfalls. They could also feast in the history of civilisation and eco-system at the Niah Caves National Park.

“This is going to be a package that we going to produce – music plus adventure, and this package will include air fare, festival tickets and entry to national parks.”

Abang Johari added that the Festival organiser would be working with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Royal Brunei Airways because of their international links.

“It has to be promoted early. I have calculated that the best period is October right up to February. Hence, there would be at least five months for our foreign guests to plan their holidays. It has to be promoted online.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak Tourism mulls ways to market Borneo Jazz Festival

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New species of spider found in Sarawak

KUCHING: Canadian biologist and jumping spider specialist Dr Wayne Maddison believes that his team has found a new species of spider from the hispo genus in Sarawak.

Speaking at a public awareness talk on jumping spider diversity in Sarawak at Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) yesterday, he said hispo spiders are commonly found in Madagascar.

“There are three known species found outside of Africa, until now. As far as I know, this one is new to science. It is the first of this subfamily in Borneo.”

Maddison’s student and team member Edyta Piascik found the first one, a grey adult female, on a tree in Mulu. They later found an adult male in Lambir.

According to Maddison, they still have to study their specimen in detail when they return to Vancouver.

Both Maddison and Piascik gave talk to about 35 people from various organisations and members of the public.

Maddison is a professor at the University of British Columbia and is scientific director of Beaty Biodiversity Museum.

His fascination with jumping spiders began when he was 13, and he has made it his mission to travel to poorly-known rainforests to document the many still-unknown species before they are gone.

While the term ‘jumping spiders’ may conjure up images of big hungry spiders waiting for an excuse to pounce on you, Maddison said that these tiny creatures are commonly found around the house and garden.

“I found six different species around this building while I was waiting for my turn to talk,” he told his audience.

Jumping spiders are identified by their characteristic eye pattern — four of their larger eyes are in front of their heads, while four smaller ones are positioned on the sides to give them what is equivalent to the human peripheral vision.

Maddison said some of these spiders might have blind spots directly behind their heads.

“You can tell these by the sudden head jerk they make when they detect something behind them,” he said. “Their visual system is better than a cat’s, but not as good as a dog’s.”

Fewer than 100 jumping spiders of Borneo were previously found and described, some from as long as 120 years ago.

“We found an estimated 175 species on our trip,” Maddison said, adding that there may be at least 400 species in the whole of Borneo.

Jumping spiders do not spin webs to trap their food, he said. Instead, the mostly carnivorous spiders hunt like cats, pouncing on their prey.

“They do produce silk. They use it to spin houses, and to attach to something in case they miss what they were jumping at!”

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: New species of spider found in Sarawak
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Tourists find it difficult to get to their destination and back in Sarawak

MIRI: Efficient land transport, in particular, is an integral part of the tourism industry, without which precious time would be wasted by tourists new to the place.

This is especially so in Sarawak where natural attractions are located far from the city, some only accessible by water-based transport.

Tourism is made possible by efficient public transport such as a bus network for tourists to move around with ease.

The Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) took the opportunity to visit Lambir Hills National Park yesterday, a mere half an hour’s drive from Miri City.

Cruising on the slightly busy Miri-Bintulu Road in the mid-day yesterday, passing through green forests with small villages on both sides of the road, was soothing to our jaded eyes.

According to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), this modest 6,952ha park has one of the world’s most diverse forest ecosystems.

Shielded from the fiery sun by the canopy of lush tropical rainforests, we strolled along the trail, listened to the orchestra of calling cicadas, chirping of birds, and roar of water.

A French couple we met in the park confided to us that they found it quite difficult to get to this national park.

“We took the express coach but it does not provide us with a timetable, which will be troublesome later on,” Sandrine Peculier said.

“I don’t know yet how we are going to get back to the city. We will check with the park’s office later or perhaps we could hitch a ride.”

Sandrine told us about her bad experience with the taxi service when they landed in Miri last Sunday, as the driver was unable to locate the hotel they were to stay in. The couple had earlier been in Kuching.

Gilles De Paoli, a police officer, pointed out that they met some police officers in Kuching whom he found very friendly.

Sandrine and Gilles intend to visit Niah National Park, Mulu National Park and Bario Highlands in their three weeks of escape to Borneo.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Tourists find it difficult to get to their destination and back in Sarawak

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Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort’s water park fully operational

MIRI: Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort (BTRR)’s water park is now fully operational.

The open water park set amid the lush rainforest, which is one of its kind in Malaysia, consists of two swimming pools – one adult’s pool and a children’s pool – that are equipped with inline tube and body waterslides running through the forested area with ten other recreational structures.

Being its latest attraction for visitors to indulge in, the resort has also added a giant waterslide, where one can cascade down from a height of about 25 feet and have a big splash onto the pool.

Occupying an area of about two acres, the whole water park took about three months to complete.

“The public can now enjoy not only the nature but have fun for themselves and their children,” said the resort’s managing director Henry Law Ing Hua.

Speaking to reporters, he said before the water park was built, he received suggestions from visitors to build a pool that would entice and bring fun to their children.

Law added that since the resort first opened its doors to the public in June 2007, numerous improvements had been added and the latest were the new swimming pools and water park.

BTRR is an agro and nature resort nestled in the natural setting of the pristine and lush tropical rainforest adjacent to Lambir Hills National Park. It is located about 36km from Miri City, along Miri-Bintulu Road, about forty-minute drive away.

The resort offers an exciting and comprehensive range of facilities.

These include chalet and hotel accommodation, cafe and restaurant, meeting and conference rooms combining relaxation with a wide range of sports activities, sightseeing, educational and recreational activities of nature walk, rainforest trekking, night safari, pony ride and boat ride.

Set in tranquil and serene surroundings with lush greenery, BTRR is truly a tropical paradise amidst the tropical forest, a perfect retreat for relaxation and revitalisation of the body, mind and spirit, and a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Borneo Tropical Rainforest Resort’s water park fully operational
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Borneo Cultural Village for Lambir

MIRI: A Borneo Cultural Village has been proposed for Lambir near here to boost the image of Miri as tourist and resort city.

However, a lot of money would be needed to realise the project which would be similar to Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan yesterday.

Dr Chan, who is also Minister of Tourism and Heritage Sarawak, disclosed this to reporters after officiating at the Borneo International Beads Conference 2010 here.

“We have identified 100 to 200 acres of land in Lambir and it is about 30 minutes’ drive from the city centre. We will be working together with Sarawak Museum on some aspects of the cultural village featuring the cultures and lifestyles of various ethnic and indigenous groups in Borneo,” said Dr Chan. The Orang Ulu community will be among the main features with the beads and woven materials (as part of the culture, traditions and heritage of the community) to be placed among the proposed exhibits and displays.

There is also a proposal to set up a factory making bead products.

“It would be more interesting and great if we could put it all in. It is under planning as we need a lot of money.” said Dr Chan.

Meanwhile, Dr Chan expressed his disappointment with the look of Miri Handicraft Centre in the city centre.

“At least make it bigger and more presentable to tourists. We have been trying to do a few things to attract tourists and locals to visit it,” he added.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Borneo Cultural Village for Lambir
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Cool green world of Lambir

By Catharine Goh

Located 50km southwest of Miri City, Lambir Hills National Park is known for its complex and diverse forest eco-system.

In a total area of just 6,952 hectares, experts have found what appears to be the greatest level of plant biodiversity on the planet.

A haven for researchers and eco-tourists, it is not only plant life that is diverse and plentiful at Lambir.

With 237 different species of birds, at the last count, as well as flying squirrels, wild pigs, gibbons, many different types of monkey, various species of deer, and untold insects and other invertebrates - these all combined to create Lambir's rich biological kaleidoscope.

About 30 minutes drive from the resort city, its irregular sandstone escarpments appear like rugged vertebrae when glimpsed from Miri's viewpoints on clear days.

The park is easily accessible by car and bus and trekking the rainforest-cloaked ridges beneath this backbone gives you an opportunity to experience mixed dipterocarp rainforest in its enormity, variety and primordial beauty.

It also has a number of picturesque clear creeks and waterfalls, in which hot trekkers can cool off.

However, Sarawak Planning and Resource Ministry's acting permanent secretary Datu Len Talif Salleh said personal philanthropy and volunteerism are vital in securing the future of the state's national parks.

"Sarawak is in need of outstanding volunteers to assist in co-managing our national parks and enhance on our current initiatives such as Honourary Wildlife Ranger, Special Park Committee and various education and awareness programmes for the public," he noted.

He said generating awareness and deep appreciation required tremendous efforts from stakeholders.

"Most importantly, it will help us to combat any infringements towards our efforts in conservation and protection of biodiversity wealth," added Len Talif, who is also Sarawak Forestry managing director and chief executive officer.

Recently the Sarawak Forestry Corporation officers detained four men, including three locals, for alleged illegal poaching and hunting at Lambir Hills National Park. All four suspects were handed over to the police in Miri for further investigations.

Commenting on the incident, Len Talif it was an egregious case of illegal hunting that had been uncovered by his men in the national park as wildlife in this Totally Protected Area was as important as the area itself.

"This is a serious offence and we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute anybody found to be partaking in this sort of activity," he said.

"We will not tolerate illegal hunting in Lambir Hills National Park or any other protected areas for that matter," he reiterated.

He added that the investigation uncovered a complex and concerted efforts in hunting illegally within the National Park.

Items such as a home-made shotgun and three parangs were also found in the suspects' possession.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend
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