The Krayan Highlands © Ery Bukhorie Unique Flora

Heart of Borneo (HoB) is an initiative of Brunei Darussalam, For further information: Indonesia and Malaysia based on the principles of conserva- www.borneoecotours.com tion and sustainable development. The goal of HoB Initiative www.borneoadventure.com is to preserve and maintain the sustainability of Borneo’s last www.indonesiatripadvisors.com remaining rain forests for the welfare of present and future www.borneo-ecotourism.com generations. Conservation in the HoB area means improving FORMADAT KRAYAN management and governance of protected areas while docu- [email protected] menting important biodiversity areas that are conserved by local BORNEO JUNGLE SAFARI communities. Outside conservation areas, sustainable develop- Lot 1396, 1st Floor Centerpoint II, Jalan Kubu 98000 Miri, Sarawak ment is pursued by best practices such as green ecotourism, Tel : +6085 422595 small-holder agriculture, sustainable forest management, and Fax : +6085 417984 sustainable farming. Email: [email protected] THETHE KRAYANKRAYAN HIGHLANDSHIGHLANDS IN THE HEART OF BORNEO

FORMADAT (Forum of the Indigenous People of the High- lands of Borneo) is a community transborder organization established in 2004 that aims to increase awareness and under- standing about the Highland communities, maintain cultural traditions and encourage sustainable development in the Heart The production of Borneo. FORMADAT was one of the winners of the Equator of this brochure was supported by The Cultural Field School Prize in 2015. WWF-Indonesia in the Krayan Highlands © Ery Bukhorie Unique Flora

ast parts of the Krayan Highlands are covered Very close to the villages of Long Bawan, Vby heath forest or locally known as tana’ Lembudud and Terang Baru, easy walks can payeh. The unique ﬂ ora that grows in this type of be organized to discover the hidden treasures forest makes for exciting botanical encounters like of the remnant heath forest vegetation, a typi- the famous black orchid, several species of rhodo- cal ecosystem of the Highlands of Krayan. dendron of vibrant colors, pitcher plants, plants with medicinal properties, and much more.

traditional construction not far from the he Krayan Highlands in the Heart of Borneo offer enchanting views. village of Terang Baru, erected on land do- Gentle slopes covered with dense forest and wide valleys interlaced A T Sabah Long Miau nated by a local family, hosts the Cultural Field with traditional paddies, gardens and fruit groves, create a unique and Long Pa Sia Salt was one of the most valuable commodities School (CFS), a space for cultural celebrations pleasant landscape. The Highlands are located at an altitude between 760 traded out of the Krayan Highlands in the past. Salt and for learning traditional music and dances, and 1,200 meters. Cool weather, especially at night, is also a nice break from production occurs throughout the year, but is more and some antique skills like wood carving. Fine, the hot and humid climate of the lowlands of Borneo. People and nature Sarawak frequent during the less intensive spells of the rice colorful handicrafts made of bamboo and rattan seem to have worked together well to shape the landscape in beautiful and agricultural cycle. The production of mountain salt are also produced by local women artisans. sustainable ways. Over the centuries, local Indigenous Peoples have trans- Ba Kelalan is an important part of the historical and cultural formed the bottom of the valleys in rice ﬁ elds and created a self-sustained Long Bawan North Kalimantan heritage of the communities living in the Krayan agricultural cycle integrated with water buffalos husbandry. Pa Lungan Highlandsg in the Heart of Borneo. Salt is often Bareo Lembudud Pa Umor Long Layu givengig veven asa giftgifi t too visitorsvisisiti oorrs andanand familyfaf miilyl members.memmbeersr . The Krayan Highlands in North Kalimantan lie right at the border with Pa Main

Sarawak and Sabah (Malaysia) and are divided into ﬁ ve sub-districts in the Pa Dali District of Nunukan, Indonesia. They form one geographical-eco-cultural landscape with the Highlands of Bario, Ba’ Kelalan (Sarawak), and Ulu Padas (Sabah). Long Bawan is the biggest center and the main destination of ﬂ ights from the coastal towns of Nunukan, Tarakan, and Malinau. The Legend: Krayan Highlands can also be reached by road from Ba’ Kelalan (Sarawak) Villages Provincial Heart of Borneo Highlands across the international border. Rivers Booundaries Krayan Highlands National

© Albert Teo © Edwin Meru / FORMADAT © Ery Bukhorie When the forest fruit season comes (the main mast Feeling at ‘home’: local hospitality and fruiting cycle in the tropical forest is on average Salt making in Krayan traditional cuisine every 5 years), local people organize festivals and nique about the Highlands is the high con- tasting events to celebrate the abundance of fruit, Ucentration of salt springs in the relatively fl at pending a few days in the Krayan Highlands is an opportu- a cultural and natural heritage of the Heart of Bor- alluvial valleys. Most of them are situated in low nity to live the life of the locals. Whether working in the rice S neo. Some forest fruit varieties can only be found swampy areas, others fl ow from the foothills in fi elds with the host family, exploring the spring where local people in the Krayan Highlands. the forest and mix with the water of the streams. have traditionally produced “mountain salt” or learning the art of Mountain salt originates from high salinity water handicraft-making with local women, visitors will be able to get a that fl ows from deep underground. It was trapped true glimpse into a different world where communities still live in © Edwin Meru / FORMADAT there millions of years ago when the landscape of harmony with nature and are proud of their cultural traditions. © Ery Bukhorie the Highlands was covered by sea.

Over time, local people have come to know those If in the Krayan Highlands, make sure to savor the local brine springs good for human consumption cuisine and some special forest dishes. The diversity of local (main) and the salt licks (rupan) visited by ani- food plants and resources is not just used in the traditional mals. Through ingenuity and skills, local people cuisine but also a way to preserve the quality and variety have turned the high salinity water into salt and of nutritional sources, and build resilience and adapt- traded the product throughout the isolated inte- ability to climate change. rior of Borneo.