Headline Travelling responsibly MediaTitle The Edge Date 09 Mar 2015 Color Full Color Section Supplement Circulation 22,244 Page No T10 Readership 66,732 Language English ArticleSize 770 cm² Journalist N/A AdValue RM 13,258 Frequency Weekly PR Value RM 39,774 Travelling responsibly Going back to basics helps sustain the environment. In return, the ecotourist gets to enjoy a unique experience.

Society has grown accustomed to a themselves in daily activities such as farming, certain lifestyle that revolves around craft­making or agriculture.The tours revolve money, electricity, running water and around everyday activities that are unique for generally, what are now considered visitors, such as basket weaving at an Iban the creature comforts in life. However, longhouse, cast net fishing in a remote Malay sometimes, there is still a desire to go village, farming, and so on," Mona says. back to basics, when life was less complicated. There are three major types of ecotour­ Thankfully, the continuous evolution of the ism — eco­treks, eco­lodging and volunteerism. tourism industry has provided nature seekers What Mona has highlighted is usually found in with just the thing: ecotourism, which allows East Malaysia, but Peninsular Malaysia is also travellers to enjoy a rich and varied experience rich in ecotourism. Eco­treks involve excursions while leaving little or no adverse impact on the to exotic or endangered locations. In Sarawak, environment. one such trek is the Orang Utan Trail organised Malaysia is blessed with a lush rainforest and by Planet Borneo. an abundance of biodiversity. Infact.ithasone "The tour brings tourists into the virgin of the oldest rainforests in the world, popularly rainforest of BatangAi, where wild orang utan considered the grandmother to the Amazon. And can be spotted. It involves a few nights' stay in since we enjoy good weather (there may be rain, the jungle and trekking along various trails.The but there's no snow) almost all year round, it has aim is to educate tourists on the natural hab­ much to offer in terms of caving, hiking, jungle itats and activities of this endangered species. trekking, white water rafting,rock climbing,bird "They will be told how deforestation, ille­ watching, diving and river cruising. gal poaching and hunting are threatening the There are even specialised programmes to survival of the orang utan," Mona says, adding promote ecotourism such as the Tabin Wildlife that 4% of the tour proceeds go towards orang Conservation Conquest in Sabah, Fraser's Hill utan conservation efforts in Sarawak. International Bird Race andTaman Negara Eco Eco­lodging, she says, is a natural supple­ Challenge competition. ment for eco­excursions into remote areas Mona Manap, an agent with Planet Bor­ of Sarawak and Sabah. "Due to the nature of neo Tours and Travel Services, says ecotour­ some tours, eco­lodges are developed as an ism can be defined as an activity which leaves alternative to camping in the jungle." These minimal impact on the natural ecosystem while serve as accommodation and have eco­friend­ improving the livelihood of locals. ly amenities. "Ecotourism is responsible and sustaina­ Lodges range from basic to luxurious ble tourism, where the natural and social envi­ but eco­awareness is maintained across all of ronment is conserved. Tourists can appreciate them. For example, the award­winning Sukau their surroundings when we teach them the Rainforest Lodge run by Borneo Eco Tours is beauty of untouched and preserved natural built to enable guests to have a comfortable environments," Mona says, stressing that ec­ immersion in the surrounding rainforests of otourism is not just a tour, but also a process the Kinabatangan river. The architecture and of education. operations of the lodge also take into consid­ "For customers to appreciate the [full effect] eration their impact on the environment. The of their eco­trip, they have to forgo certain ne­ lodge is made of wood, to allow it to blend with cessities of the modern age, such as air condi­ the surroundings. tioning, non­biodegradable toiletries, and 24­ The third element, volunteerism, makes ec­ hour electricity," she adds. This may be tough for those who are used to otourism different from merely visiting rain­ modern amenities,but "...it eventually teaches forests and natural tourist spots. The Sarawak them that life without such amenities is pos­ Forestry Corp, for example, offers the Sea Turtle sible after all". Adoption Programme at Talang Talang Island. It The experience is beneficial to both tour­ involves turtle conservation education sessions ists and locals. According to Mona, the social at which tourists are briefed by park wardens element of ecotourism gives visitors the oppor­ on the habits of turtles and their life cycles. At tunity to experience and contribute to the local night, when turtles return to shore to lay their community's social well­being. eggs, volunteers are shown how to assist in con­ "Tourists are educated on the social sustain­ servation activities, such as moving the eggs ability of tourism operations in these areas. This to hatching locations where they are kept in a includes the maintenance of livelihood for res­ conducive environment. idents, and gives visitors a chance to immerse The programme runs from May to Septem­ Headline Travelling responsibly MediaTitle The Edge Date 09 Mar 2015 Color Full Color Section Supplement Circulation 22,244 Page No T10 Readership 66,732 Language English ArticleSize 770 cm² Journalist N/A AdValue RM 13,258 Frequency Weekly PR Value RM 39,774

ber, during the egg­laying period, and proceeds found now — the kelah.They are kept in a sanc­ are ploughed back into the conservation of the tuary which people can visit," he adds.And those marine turtles. who happen to catch the kelah are advised to No matter which element of ecotourism trav­ put them back in the river. ellers opt for, they should keep two very impor­ Other locations in Malaysia that offer ecotour­ tant things in mind — preserving the environ­ ism services include Taman Negara, Forest Re­ ment and the native history and heritage, says search Institute Malaysia (FRIM),Penang Nation­ al Park, Royal Belum State Park, Endau­Rompin Yap Sook Lin, managing director of Asian Over­ National Park, Danum Valley, Bako National Park, land Services Tour and Travel Sdn Bhd. the Langkawi Mangroves, Pulau Tioman and "We advise travellers on eco­treks to keep Pulau Redang. Mulu National Park in Sarawak quiet and to never pick the flowers or leaves. and Kinabalu Park in Sabah are recognised as During the trip, we [may] educate them on a Unesco World Heritage sites and also draw quite particular fish that is almost extinct and rarely a lot of attention. — By Sarah Voon B

lop ocotuunsm destinations in Malaysia

Sarawak National Park, PahangM H rsf­i ^1 D^rl/ Dnhnnn Bako National Park Kuaia Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Pahang Mulu National Park Kenong Rimba Park, Pahang Niah National Park Sungai Chilling Waterfall, Kuala Selangor, Seiangor Batang Ai National Park Royal Belum Forest Reserve, Perak Lampir Hill National Park Gua Tempurung, Perak Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak Sabah Penang National Heritage Park, Penang Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary Kilim Geopark, Langkawi Island Kinabalu National Park Rantau Abang Turtle Hatchery, Terengganu Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park Redang Island, Perhentian Island, Gemia Island, Terengganu Danum Valley Maliau Basin Tabin Wildlife Reserve Kinabatangan Floodplain, Sukau Turtle Island Gua Gomantong, Kinabatangan, Sabah Headline Travelling responsibly MediaTitle The Edge Date 09 Mar 2015 Color Full Color Section Supplement Circulation 22,244 Page No T10 Readership 66,732 Language English ArticleSize 770 cm² Journalist N/A AdValue RM 13,258 Frequency Weekly PR Value RM 39,774

Volunteers are shown how to assist in turtle conservation activities