SMARTguide - Sarawak

I ADVENTURE I NATURE
Penan woman, selling
handicrafts at Batu
Bungan village (Mulu)
Tourism
as a cause
for good
As often stated by the
former Secretary-General
of the UNWTO, Taleb Rifai,
tourism can and should be
a force for good. In Sarawak,
this is very much the case,
as every person who visits
Sarawak’s national parks
and protected areas and
pays fees contributes to
the upkeep of these fragile
forests – much of them
pristine primary growth –
and protects the unique
wildlife that lives within
them.
Some local tour operators
also offer the chance for
visitors to become involved in
reforestation initiatives. Park
buffer zones are extremely
important in increasing the
available habitat for wildlife,
so by extending the forest
cover this further helps
in protecting the wildlife.
Huge steps are being made
across the state to conserve
and manage Sarawak’s
valuable and unique
forests. In addition to some
800,000 hectares of Totally
Protected Areas (TPAs)
that are off-limit to logging
companies, large areas of
land classed as “terrain
4” (steep and hilly) areas,
“High Conservation Value
Forests”, buffer zones and
verified “Native Customary
Rights” land remain pristine.
The declared initiative by
the state government to
pursue responsible tourism
underpins the importance
of other moves that had
already been initiated by the
state authorities to protect
forests and wildlife
Upgraded
infrastructure for
Bako National Park
With foreign tourist numbers to
Bako National Park growing by
an average of around 15% every
year for the past three years, the
Sarawak Forestry Corporation
has been working on adding
to and refurbishing facilities for
visitors, including the opening
of a new camping ground. The
Bako Boat Terminal was also
temporary closed for renovation
and upgrade by the Sarawak River
Board from 15 April 2019 through
February 2020.
Bako is said by many to be
the best place in Sarawak for
wildlife experiences. It is home
to approximately 150 rare
proboscis monkeys, found only
in Borneo. The park has been
a protected area since 1957, so
animals are less wary of humans.
Visitors, especially those who
stay overnight, have countless
opportunities to observe and
photograph various types of
wildlife. Long-tailed macaques,
silvered leaf-monkeys, common
water monitors, plantain squirrels,
wild boar and mouse deer are also
found here.
The largest mammal found at
Bako is the Bornean Bearded
Pig. As its name implies, it is
distinguished from other wild
pigs by prominent bristles either
side of its snout. Bearded pigs are
often found around the park HQ
scavenging for food or wallowing
in mud
Proboscis
Monkey in
Bako National
Park
www.sarawaktourism.com
SMART GUIDE 11