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Long Tanid in Long Semadoh, Sarawak |
Last July, Forum Masyarakat Adat Dataran Tinggi Borneo (Formadat)
organised once more the highlands eco-challenge right at the highlands
of Borneo spanning Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan. This is the second in
the series whose inaugural event was conducted in 2015. The event is
supported by World Wide Fund (WWF) Sarawak since inception. Alicia Ng of
WWF Sarawak, who was on the field to coordinate the event, quoted a few
challenges in organising such events, especially being new, is how to
create and heighten the awareness of ecotourism in the Borneo Highlands,
as well as how to generate more publicity for more participation by
enthusiasts, forest lovers and trekkers alike. In supporting Formadat in
their long term objectives, she hopes WWF will achieve more mileage in
the coming years by helping Formadat to guide the local communities to
manage a bulk part of the ecotourism and to promote cultural diversity.
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Overall programme of Highlands Eco-Challenge II (source: www.formadat.com) |
This round, two eco-challenge trails were featured, the short 5
days 4 nights ‘Jungle Exploration’ trail and the highlight of all
trekking packages, the 10d9n ‘Heart of Borneo Experience’ whose journey
combines four-wheel drive and traverse trekking from Sipitang in Sabah
through into Sarawak with a couple of days spent in Kalimantan villages.
The entire journey was enveloped within the highlands of an average of
1,000 metres above sea level, which guaranteed an overall chilling
experience for all. I took the short trip which covered locations Kota
Kinabalu-Sipitang-Long Pa’ Sia’-Long Semadoh-Lawas. The extended trip
has Ba’ Kelalan-Long Bawan-Long Layu-Ba Siuk-Pa Dalih-Bario added. In
addition, the latter bears the transboundary triangle that covers the
key village for each of the states. Participants for this trail gets to
experience a different culture and get additional stamp on their
passports!