Into the wilds of Batang Ai - Man versus mild

"Now I need to find a good place to shelter for the night and cook those maggots.”

And with that line from Bear Grylls, I decided I was not going to make it through the first episode of Man Versus Wild I had ever attempted to watch.

But somehow, I've since found myself returning to Grylls's weekly adventures in the wilderness where he eats all manner of bugs, drinks his own urine or, on one memorable occasion, rehydrates by giving himself an enema.

I was hoping my own wild adventure, into the Borneo rainforest of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, would not be as extreme. Fortunately I was right, but I also discovered that heading into less-developed places such as this can have their dangers – often where you least expect them.

But more on that later.

The first indication I had that my Borneo visit would not quite be as uncomfortable as a Bear Grylls adventure was approaching our accommodation. Batang Ai Longhouse, managed by the Hilton group, is a resort accessible only by boat, located on the lake from which it takes its name, on the edge of Malaysia's Batang Ai National Park.

The hotel's design is roughly based on the traditional longhouses of the local Iban people – though much more luxurious of course. We may be in the jungle, but we've got access to air-conditioned rooms, terrific dining options and an irresistible cocktail menu.

That air-conditioning is essential, as Sarawak is currently in its dry season and the heat is extraordinary. In fact, an afternoon dip in the lake feels more like a warm bath, such is the temperature of the water near the surface.

But we're not here to spend all our time relaxing at the resort – we're jungle bound. Batang Ai National Park, given its status in 1989, covers 24 square kilometres and abuts two other national parks – one in Malaysia, the other in neighbouring Indonesia.

While the national park is home to Borneo's famous orang-utans, we are warned that coming across them in the vast area is not likely.

Like the resort, Batang Ai National Park must be accessed by boat – we settle down in two narrow longboats for our journey up the Ulu Ai river. Due to the aforementioned dry season, the river depth is low in points, forcing our guides to occasionally pull up the outboard motor and drag the boat along as they wade through the shallows.

Despite the shade provided by the thick foliage, the heat remains stifling. Our boat drops us at a hiking trail, where we take a mercifully short walk that leaves me utterly drenched in sweat. While we don't see any, there is one obvious sign that orang-utans are in the neighbourhood – a large pile of fresh, orange-tinged dung right in the middle of the hiking trail. Unfortunately that's the only sign we get of the jungle's most famous inhabitants.

On return to the riverbank, despite none of our group having brought bathers, we can't resist stripping to our undies and taking a dip in the river to cool off. It's wonderfully refreshing. It's also teeming with life. While we've been hiking one of our boatmen has busied himself spearing fish for our lunch, which are now staked over a fire on the bank. It doesn't get much fresher than that.

Continue reading at: Into the wilds of Batang Ai - Man versus mild

Take a look at the wilds of Malaysian Borneo in Batang Ai National Park at: PHOTO GALLERY

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Bako National Park temporarily closed to overnight visitors

KUCHING: The Bako National Park, Sarawak’s oldest national park, is temporarily closed for overnight visitors with immediate effect due to a serious shortage of fresh water supply.



Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) said further announcement would be made when the park, located at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsular about 37km from here, was ready to receive overnight visitors.



“Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” SFC said in a statement here today.



Gazetted in 1957 and covering an area of 2,722 hectares, it is one of the smallest national parks in Sarawak yet one of the most interesting as it contains almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo.



The Bako National Park offers visitors an excellent introduction to the rainforest and coastline of Borneo while its accessibility and its sheer range of attractions and activities has made it one of the most popular parks in Sarawak.



Continue reading at: Bako National Park temporarily closed to overnight visitors

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Sarawak Plan To Gazette Kuala Lawas As National Park

LAWAS -- Sarawak plans to gazette a new area made up mainly of water bodies in Kuala Lawas near here as another national park in a move to protect and conserve marine life, State Second Minister of Resource Planning and Management, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said.

He said the proposed national park that features fringe mangrove along the coastline has become a favourite feeding ground for dugongs and green turtles and would play an important role in marine eco-system.

Speaking at the South East Asia Regional Workshop on Dugong here Wednesday night, he said the plan was among the State's commitment to protect and conserve the invaluable heritage and wealth of wildlife.

He said to date, a total of 206,344 hectares of water bodies had been gazetted as totally protected areas to conserve endangered marine species such as sea turtles, marine mammals, sea horses, coral and marine eco-system.

"It is in our greatest interest to constantly improve our current approaches and innovatively transform our assets into legacies that will continue to provide beauty and wonder for generations to come," he added.

Continue reading at: Sarawak Plan To Gazette Kuala Lawas As National Park

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Ecological linkages to connect National Parks in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A plan to set up ecological linkages connecting the national parks in Sabah, as a way to further strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts in the State is expected to materialise soon, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

He revealed that a 15-month long study carried out since 2010 for the setting up of the linkage, to be known as Kinabalu Eco-Linc (Kinabalu Ecological Linkage), was nearing completion.

“The whole idea is to provide a link or connectivity between both protected areas so that they can boost each other’s potentials,” he said after officiating at the opening of a two-day final stakeholders workshop for the study here, yesterday.

The plan was to link Kinabalu Park in Kundasang and the Crocker Range Park in Tambunan, which are currently separated by a distance of up to 10 kilometres at the closest points, through enhanced ecological connectivity between the two parks.

The challenge is the plan would affect approximately 11,000 people living at over 20 settlements situated within the area.

“The Kinabalu Ecolinc plan is vital towards the realisation of the full potential in all aspects within these protected areas, including tourism. The plan should be accepted by all parties as an initiative for biodiversity conservation and a move towards empowering the village people to look after their own forests,” said Masidi.

He added the linkage would only involve areas densely covered with pristine forests along a ridge that lies within the village reserve areas (native customary reserves).

The government, he added, was working together with the villagers involved under this initiative.

“The government prefers that this initiative not involve any gazetting of a new forest reserve, because we rather look at this as a joint effort between the government and the village people themselves.

“We would rather take it as an effort on the part of the village people themselves to look after their own village surrounding environment, with the government assuming the role of a facilitator. We trust the village people because they have been living there for generations,” he said.

The 15-month long study is undertaken by ERE Consulting Group Sdn Bhd.

The other objective of the project, said Masidi, was to ensure that the quality of environment in the areas already inhabited by the natives would not be degraded.

Continue reading at: Ecological linkages to connect National Parks in Sabah

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Kubah National Park - All the green wonders in one spot

By NYL

Kubah National Park, 22 kilometres from Kuching is one of the most accessible of Sarawak's National Parks and a favourite destination for day-trippers.

Named after the word kubah, which means 'dome' in Malay, the park covers the peak and slope of the dome-shaped Gunung Serapi, which is part of the Matang Ridge with two other peaks - Gunung Selang and Gunung Sendok. On a clear day, these three mountain peaks are visible from the Kuching Waterfront.

A trip to Kubah National Park is a pleasant experience as it houses one of the best collections of palms and orchids. Primarily serving as a water catchment area, the park has four main trails which vary in duration from about two to six hours and covers a diverse range of picturesque settings, including a majestic waterfall.

The easiest hike is the Gunung Serapi Trail which has a tarmac road that starts at the park headquarters leading to the mountain summit and a telecommunication tower on its peak. It passes through mixed dipterocarp forest and joins up with the other trails, giving visitors the option of continuing on into the forest, visiting the waterfall, or returning along the Gunung Serapi Road. Making it more special is the unique pitcher plant garden, an area along the trail specially landscaped with the exotic plant.

But what makes Kubah special is the richness of its palm trees. There are more than 80 palm species in Kubah and nearly a quarter of them are endemic to Borneo. Many of the palms were first described by the great Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari, who spent three years in Sarawak from 1865 to 1868, and recorded his findings and experiences in a remarkable book, "Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo". The park´s Palmetum Trail cuts through the pristine forest where you get to see palm species such as licuala and rattan pantu, pinanga, appendicula, dipodium and eria.

The trail to the waterfalls is the most challenging. It is about two kilometres long and passes through numerous plank walks over swampy areas and streams. The path is lined with buttress-rooted rainforest giants, many draped with large spiralling vines that remind us of their great age. These sometimes block the trail and need cutting before you can pass. During the rainy season, leeches are a problem. Insect repellent, leech socks and heavy clothing are the best way to ward off the troublesome creatures. Other trails include the Rayu Trail spanning 3.8km that connects the park and Matang Wildlife Centre, as well as the Salang Trail that has a viewing point from where you can get a panoramic view of the surrounding forested area.

Kubah is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bearded pigs, birds, sambar deer, mouse deer, civets, porcupines, squirrels and numerous species of reptiles and frogs. Probably one of the most rewarding experiences is an overnight stay in one of the Kubah's forest lodges where you can go night trekking to spot some of the nocturnal creatures in the park.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday
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Bako National Park needs facelift

KUCHING: Facilities that need upgrading are signage, hostels and trails. Among the challenges faced by the management include aging accommodation facilities that had undergone several renovations but have design and material weaknesses, and there are also problems with termites and rats.- Siali Aban, Bako National Park manager

An estimated RM1.5 million is needed for the upgrading of existing facilities in the state’s oldest national park.

Bako National Park is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the state, with an average of 35,000 visitors per year.

Last year alone, visitors numbered at 38,810.

“Facilities that need upgrading are signage, hostels and trails. Among the challenges faced by the management include aging accommodation facilities that had undergone several renovations but have design and material weaknesses, and there are also problems with termites and rats,” said park manager Siali Aban.

Over 30 tourism players, including members of Sarawak Tourism Federation and travel agents, participated in a product visit and briefing organised by Tourism and Heritage Ministry led by permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik yesterday.

Based on current trends, the number of visitors to Bako National Park is increasing every year, with a high number of repeat visitors, which is why the upgrading is necessary.

According to Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) statistics, the annual number of visitors to the national park consists of 25 per cent locals and 75 per cent foreigners, with Europeans being the majority. It is found that expectations among the foreigners are higher when it comes to service level in terms of maintenance, guide, food and safety.

“Guests face higher charges through tour agencies so they expect a certain level of services and they tend to compare them with those of other parks they have visited,” said Siali.

Another challenge faced by the park management is the lack of human resources and it is operating with a skeletal number of staff, which naturally affects the service quality.

“Our workforce is on a ratio of one worker to 2,000 customers annually. We have three park rangers, so in terms of enforcement and protection of the park, we work on a ratio of 1 ranger to 909 hectares.

“In terms of maintenance, we only have two cleaners for 132 beds at 11 buildings during peak time and also other facilities such as compounds, boardwalks, shelters and others,” said Siali in his briefing.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Bako National Park needs facelift
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Deer Cave: A bats’ world in Mulu National Park

MULU, Sarawak: It was twilight and the entrance to the Deer Cave at the Mulu National Park was dusky.

While the rain had just stopped adding to the chill of the mountain air, a group of eager visitors took a vantage position some distance away from the mouth of the cave waiting to witness one of nature’s wonders about to unravel.

The cameras lenses were trained to the empty and silent sky above, with the vertical limestone walls of Mulu partially in view.

Then suddenly a burst of cacophony was heard before thousands of dark spots spiralled into the half-lit sky from the mouth of the cave.

What is seen as a rising twister from a distant is actually hundreds and thousands of bats making their way to feed.

From the initial spiral configuration, they then flew in a horizontal formation and then started circling like a whirlpool in the sky.

This nocturnal mammals then broke up into smaller groups and flew in numerous formations in the otherwise empty and dark sky.

Though bats lead solitary lives, they move in groups to look for food so that they are not vulnerable to predators.

Bats could travel up to 70 kilometres to look for food and while in the jungle they go on separate ways and even return alone to their nest.

Richard Burong, the tour guide from Tropical Adventure who led the group, pointed out that before getting out of the cave the bats start the rhythm for the exodus.

It normally starts with one bat circling within the cave and slowly followed by the hundreds and thousands or even millions in a manoeuvre to push the weaker ones outside the circle.

“Imagine the din and the swarm within the cave when up to three million bats start flying in circles.

“Even before they make their way out of the cave predators, especially the eagle and owl, are already waiting outside for an easy meal.

“And the weaker ones outside the circle are the most vulnerable”, Richard explained.

“It was a great one time experience to witness the bats emerging out of the Deer Cave in unbelievable numbers,” he said.

However, bats are not the only attraction at this world heritage site.

The Deer Cave derives its name from hunters who were familiar with the place.

The cave is said to be a favourite gathering site for the deer and other animals as the water there is rich in mineral.

Continue reading at: Deer Cave: A bats’ world in Mulu National Park
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New Limbang national park proposal submitted

KUALA LAWAS in Limbang is expected to be the next national park covering aquatic and marine areas in Sarawak.

Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) general manager Wilfred Landong said the area had been identified and the proposal to gazette it as a Totally Protected Area (TPA) had been submitted to the Controller’s Office for further action.

“We have proposed it to be gazetted as a TPA because of the diversity in marine life and it is a very important habitat for endangered species like dugongs, dolphins and turtles,” he told The Star during a break for the 10th Hornbill Workshop in Miri yesterday.

Other national parks covering aquatic and marine areas are Similajau (Bintulu), Miri-Sibuti, Loagan Bunut (Miri), Tanjung Datu, Talang Satang, Kuching Wetland (Kuching), Maludam (Sri Aman) and Rajang Mangroves (Sibu).

Landong said SFC and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) had also planned a long-term collaboration to monitor and conduct research on the marine biodiversity and habitats, particularly on seagrass, dugongs, turtles and fishery resources in the area.

Earlier, UMS marine mammal research unit head Dr Saifullah A Jaaman said Lawas, located in the southwest section of the Brunei Bay, had a unique and special marine ecosystem which consisted of mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, estuaries, sandy beaches, mud flats and continental slopes.

Continue reading at: New Limbang national park proposal submitted
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