9. Kinabatangan ‘s History
1800s – Local Orang Sungai had a thriving trade with
visiting Chinese merchants mainly for Bird’s Nest
1950s – The forested area started gaining attention
from the timber industry
1980s – Palm oil started replacing other cash
crops, with 85% of flood plain reclaimed for plantations
1995 – Sukau Rainforest Lodge was built
2002 – The State Government declared the
Kinabatangan-Corridor of Life as a “Gift to the Earth”
2005 – The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) was
gazetted under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation
Enactment 1997
2008 – KiTA (Kinabatangan-Corridor of Life Tourism
Association) was formed with 10 members out of the
15 lodge operators along the Kinabatangan, to work
with WWF Malaysia on the Voluntary Conservation Levy
(VCL) as a sustainable tool to finance conservation of
wildlife and its habitat in the Kinabatangan.
10. The Local People
The local communities living along the river are collectively known as
Orang Sungai or River People, and are of mixed ancestry. Up until
today, the river remain as their main means for transportation, water
supply and food. Traditionally they are fisherman, supplementing their
fish diet with small cultivations of ‘dry rice’ .
24. Borneo Eco Tours
www.borneoecotours.com
1. Started 1991
2. Code of Practice
3. Borneo specialist
4. 70 staff / Two offices
5. Inbound tours
6. Health tourism
7. Ecolodge
8. Gift shops
9. Books and postcards
10. B.E.S.T Society
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 24
24
25. History
The Site:
Acquired land from
Mr. Kari B. Ongong in
1994.
Objective: To build and
operate a lodge
incorporating all the
components of
ecotourism.
32. Hornbill Boardwalk
• 1450ft (435 meters) long
• 4 themed viewing
platforms
• 2 Elephant Pass
• Ideal for a romantic stroll
or after meal walk
• See the plants and
wildlife of Sukau all
within touching distance!
35. Green Policies: Design and Constructions
• Built away from river bank to prevent erosion.
• Constructed from local hardwoods, with minimal tree clearing and footprint.
• Open concept for increased ventilation, minimal energy consumption.
• Solar hot water system, rainwater harvesting.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 35
36. Green Policies:
Design and Constructions
• Sukau Rainforest lodge is
built on stilts, 5ft above
the ground to:
o Avoid flooding
o Prevent pest invasion
o Improve air circulation
• Many other lodges were
flooded in 1996 and in
2003
36
37. Green Policies: Water
• Filtered river water used in shower, and toilet.
• Rain water collected & treated for kitchen use.
• Minimal filtered water used for cleaning lodge
and equipment.
• Solar powered hot water.
• Guests encouraged to minimize water wastage.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 37
38. Green Policies: Solar & Rainwater
Harvesting (reduce, recycle)
Rainwater harvesting
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 38
39. Green Policies: Energy
• Lighting – Reuse cooking oil
• Lodge designed to minimize
energy usage
• Electric Motor Boat
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 39
40. To stop the
purchase of Green Policies: Reducing Waste
10,000 plastic
bottles a year for
of Plastic Bottles
Sandakan, Sukau
and Selingan
boat operations
Sukau Thermos Mugs bearing
icons of the forest in 4 vibrant colours
were introduced in 2009
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 40
41. Green Policies: Local Community Benefits
• Employment
opportunities: 70-80%
are local staff members
• Supply of fish and
prawns
• Boat making
• Supply of building
materials
• Contracts - jetty, plank
walk and lodge repairs
• Water tanks, medical
projects.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 41
43. Green Policies: Local Community Benefits
Employment and Skill
Training
SRL early staff
Scholarship for local
nature guides 2001
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 43
44. Green Policies: Education &
Interpretation
a. Visitor Handbook on Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain
b. Hornbill Boardwalk booklet
c. Saving Paradise – The story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge
d. Information Gallery
e. Notices in guest room
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 44
45. Green Policies: Education &
Interpretation
Information Gallery
Static & Dynamic Interpretation
Entomologist Professor Wilkinson
Conducting Training
for In-House Guides
46. Green Policies: Noise
- Open lobby area for
enjoyment of rainforest
symphony.
- Generator has noise
reducing acoustic insulation
- Boats equipped with, four
strokes engines and electric
motors.
- Discourage the use of TV
and radio in the room.
- Guests encouraged to
minimise noise(esp. after
9pm)
- Vegetation retained to
minimise noise.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 46
47. Conservation Fellows
Dr. Dale Straughan
Hector Cellabos Lasculain Kari Ongong & Carol Patterson
& Prof. Ross Dowling
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 47
48. Conservation Fellows
HRH Prince Henrik
Sukau Staff with Sir David Attenborough
2011
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 48
49. Activities: Afternoon Cruise
• The introductory cruise
• Cruise up Menanggul Creek
• Excellent general viewing of wildlife
• Immerse in your surroundings; the
sights, sounds and smells of the
rainforest!
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 49
50. Activities: Morning Cruise
• Stunning sunrise over the
water
• Observe wide range of
resting birds and animals
at the start of their day
• Return for a freshly
cooked hot breakfast
overlooking the river
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 50
51. Activities: Night Cruise
• Go spotlighting for
nocturnal species
• Many species are only
seen at night
• Others, are easier to see
at night
• All for the small charge
of RM 60 per person for
this cruise
• Free photo CD with 150
images of Sukau
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 51
52. Activities: Night Cruise
Many reptiles
Buffy fish owl active at night
• Many reptiles
active at night
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 52
59. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Sukau Ecotourism Research & Development
Centre (SERDC) 1999
"In our interdependent
world, you can't afford
to let people lose out in
pursuit of a decent
life. Everyone must be a
winner.“
Professor Klaus Schwab for Newsweek,
31 January 2000
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 59
60. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies
Society (B.E.S.T)
1. To promote sustainability of tourism
2. To promote and develop alternative
employment.
3. Education on concepts and practice of
ecotourism.
4. Apply modern technologies and
environmental management practices.
5. To improve human and knowledge capitals.
6. Develop a Code of Practice on ecotour and
ecolodge operations.
7. To explore areas of co-operation and
common interests among the various
stakeholders.
www.bestsociety.org
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 60
61. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Funding for BEST Society
1. Donation for KWICORP RM 53,061.69
(Jan 2000 – 31 Dec 2011)
2. Contribution by SRL (RM4 / pax in SRL)
RM 135, 877.25 (As of 31 Dec 2011)
3. Contribution by BET (RM8 / pax SRL)
RM209,632.48 (As of 31 Dec 2011)
4. Contribution through Voluntary Conservation Levy (VCL)
RM88,994.00 (2010-2011)
5. RM100,000.00 from Albert Teo (2009)
6. GEF SGP (UNDP) USD50,000 (2010)
7. Donation for Living Water Project, Kudat (2011):
- Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia for RM2,775.00
- The Adventure Company, UK RM14,163.42
- ConocoPhillips, US-based RM7,500.00
61
Borneo Eco Tours / Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies Society (BEST)
62. Medical Projects
(with Korean Medical Team/Rotary Club KK South)
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 62
63. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Kelenanap Oxbow Lake Weed Clearing -
1996
• Salvinia molesta weeds
clearing project;
• 5 different groups took
part;
• - 120 complementary rooms
and expenses hosted.
1. Stamford College
2. Likas Baptist Church
3. Sabah Foundation Sport Club
4. Royal College,UK
5. Tudor Hall, UK
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 63
64. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Sukau Water Tank Projects
1. 1997/1998 16 Families benefited (RM12,080.00)
2. 1999/2000 38 Families benefited (RM 30,400.00)
3. 2005 02 Families benefited (RM 2,569.00)
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 64
65. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
A community outreach project that benefited over 900
people
Medical Project 2001 & Korean Medical Project
2003
Azizi Suhaimin & Mohd.Suhaizan
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 65
66. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Rehabilitation Program
• RM53,061.69 raised from donors as of 31st Dec 2011
• RM53,686.73 spent on the project as of 31st Dec 2011
Students of Edith
Cowan University,
Perth, Australia
at the tree
planting site in
2011
66
Borneo Eco Tours / Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies Society (BEST)
67. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Rehabilitation Program
• Project Purpose – re-establish a
wildlife corridor
• Started in 2000 on 64 acres site
• Issues/Problems
– Heavily compacted/Infertile
Soil
– Elephant trampling
– Flooding
– Insects
– Lack of shade
– Weeds
• How you can help
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 67
68. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Rehabilitation Program
Prince Henrik and Tengku Adlin Mrs. Wendy Dowling at Phase 1
planting a tree seedling year 2001 Site year 2006
Michelle Noronha, a volunteer and an Phase 1 Site in June 2009
in-house guide at Phase 1 Site in 2007
Sukau Rainforest Lodge Slide Show 68
69. Benefits to Local Community and Environment
Environment Education Programme 2010 & 2011
72. Social Entrepreneurship Projects
Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Downstream Products
Processing Course July 2011
Promoting local
handicraft
Borneo Eco Tours / Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies Society (BEST) 72
73. Community Project
ECU volunteers in front of 3 new water tanks
with a capacity of 2000 gallons each
Before
Terongkongan Piping
Project
by ECU students,
Australia,
19 April 2011
73
Borneo Eco Tours / Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies Society (BEST)
74. Capacity Building
Seminars and workshops to develop
entrepreneurship and financial skills of
local community
74
Borneo Eco Tours / Borneo Ecotourism, Solutions and Technologies Society (BEST)
