FROM wildlife reserves and national parks to world-famous flora and fauna, these attractions can be found in Sarawak, making it an ideal destination for ecotourism.
The Land of the Hornbills is known for its lush rainforest, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes, which makes the state a popular destination for outdoor activities like hiking, a potential ecotourism goldmine.
The state has 56 protected areas, 37 national parks, five wildlife sanctuaries, and 14 nature reserves, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gunung Mulu National Park.
It is worth noting that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of hiking trails and spots in the state, considering how new trails can be developed over time.
Hiking aligns well with the principles of ecotourism, given that ecotourism aims to provide sustainable travel experiences that promote environmental conservation and community well-being.
Creating economic spillover
While it may not be a lucrative livelihood, hiking has provided various employment opportunities for the local community where hiking spots are located.
For instance, the local community in Bung Jagoi, Bau, is generating a steady stream of income through nature enthusiasts and avid hikers who are drawn to see remnants of the Bidayuh’s past or to enjoy a scenic hike.
With an entrance fee of RM3 per adult, while children enter for free, Bung Jagoi is an ecotourism destination and a heritage center where local and foreign visitors are offered a look at how things were in the past for the Bidayuh people who lived there.
Bung Jagoi was established by the Bidayuh people who fled from an attack on Bung Bratak by hostiles from Skrang on May 1, 1838.
After the attack on Bung Bratak, people moved out to new settlements, and Bung Jagoi was among the first of those settlements, followed by 33 other villages in Bau and Lundu, as well as five villages in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
According to Dael Nagek, a special guided cultural tour by a trained local guide is available for those interested in learning more about Bung Jagoi.
He said besides a cultural discovery, Bung Jagoi is attractive for those who wish to go on a mountain hike but are not ready to brave the dense jungle and navigate difficult terrains.
“It is only a 45-minute to an hour hike to reach Bung Jagoi’s summit, known as Bung Tesen. The trail is easy to hike, suitable for children and old people,” he explained.
At the same time, there are cafes located at the base of Bung Jagoi which visitors can patronize and enjoy local delicacies.
Dael, who is a retiree, makes ‘tuak tobuh’ (sugarcane rice wine) which he sells at the souvenir shop a few minutes before Bung Jagoi’s summit peak viewpoint.
He sells his ‘tuak tobuh’ at RM15 for a small bottle and RM70 for a large bottle while offering visitors a tester before making their purchase.
“I learned how to make ‘tuak tobuh’ from my parents, who learned from their parents, so this knowledge has been in my family for generations. It is not that difficult to make, but it does take a lot of patience as the process can take up to a few weeks,” he said.
Dael said he is pleased to see Bung Jagoi becoming a popular destination for people who are looking to escape the busy city life over the weekend.
He said this provides the local community with something to look forward to, which contributes to their livelihood.
“I am happy to see many people are coming to visit and hike Bung Jagoi during public holidays or the weekend. It is good that people are interested in seeing what Bung Jagoi has to offer.
“It is also good for the young generation of Bidayuh to be exposed to their heritage so that they do not forget where their ancestors came from,” he said.
Saying no to littering
Another popular hiking spot in the Bau area is Bung Bratak Heritage Centre, a place that is rich in history.
Bung Bratak Heritage Association chairman, Datuk Peter Minos, said one of the important things that hikers and visitors must take note of when visiting such places is not to disturb nature.
He said this includes leaving plants and flowers alone as well as disposing trash properly in the bins.
“Trash is a problem, and we appeal to visitors to dispose of their trash in the bins because there are plenty provided around the compound. Cleanliness is good for health, and we believe people love cleanliness, so this must be mutually respected,” he said.
Minos, who is also the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman, said if visitors abuse or destroy nature and throw waste around indiscriminately, they will eventually destroy the good things at Bung Bratak and other ecotourism spots.
“As such, we seek visitors’ understandingand cooperation to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of these places,” he added.
Keeping your hands to yourself
Nature enthusiasts and hikers will encounter beautiful plants and flowers during their adventure in the wilderness.
However, it is important to remember that these beautiful pieces of Mother Nature should only be admired with the eyes.
Senior lecturer at Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Dr Qammil Muzzammil Abdullah believes that hikers and environment enthusiasts must have a basic knowledge of plant identification.
He pointed out that among the many plants found in the forest, there are some that are extremely poisonous and harmful.
For example, some of the Rengas trees from the anacardiaceae family can be deadly.
“The Repai trees or genus Dendrocnide from the Urticaceae family can also be deadly. The fine hairs found on the leaves and pollens can cause prolonged itching up to two to three days,” he explained.
Qammil also said many plants produce beautiful flowers, but not all of them are safe.
“Some of these beautiful flowers are very dangerous. Not forgetting that behind green leaves, there may be dangerous caterpillars or venomous insects.
“As such, be careful when you are hiking and do not pick flowers or leaves without knowing the plant first,” he said.
In the event one accidentally touches a poisonous plant or flower, Qammil said it is pertinent to seek immediate medical treatment or else it could lead to death.
Empowering ecotourism
The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered Sarawak to approach tourism with a renewed focus on the future by promoting responsible tourism.
Tourism was listed as one of the six economic sectors for economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and sustainable environment envisioned in the state’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
During the launching of the PCDS 2030, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak aims to be a leading destination for ecotourism and business events in the Asean region.
He said this will be driven by empowered communities to conserve heritage, culture, and biodiversity, and to promote investment and development in the tourism sector.
“More tourism products and assets will be developed, supported by increased connectivity and capacity building of local tourism players.
“Sarawak will promote culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals and diversify Sarawak’s tourism focus into health tourism, sport tourism, agro-tourism, and education tourism. These initiatives are expected to increase the number of visitors by 7.5 per cent per annum,” he said.
Abang Johari also said sustainable approaches to monetise Sarawak’s rich resources will be implemented to provide economic opportunities for the rural communities.
The state government values the role of ecotourism in promoting cultural awareness and understanding among visitors while providing opportunities for local communities to showcase their heritage.
By engaging local communities in the planning, management, and benefits of ecotourism activities, the state government aims to create positive social and economic outcomes at the grassroots level.
This is in line with the PCDS 2030 aspiration of raising the monthly median household income from RM4,544 in 2019 to RM15,047 in 2030.
At the same time, the state government has expressed a commitment to providing training and capacity-building programmes for local communities involved in ecotourism.
This includes skills development for hospitality, guiding, and other relevant areas to enhance the quality of visitor’s experiences.
Most importantly, the state government continues to invest in developing necessary infrastructure and facilities that support ecotourism, such as well-maintained hiking trails, visitor centres and accommodation that blend with the natural surroundings.
