Formadat welcomes all eco-adventurists to join HoBHEC III set for next year

KUCHING: The Alliance of the Indigenous People of the Highlands of Borneo (Formadat) is organising the third edition of the biennial ‘ Heart of Borneo Highlands Eco Challenge’ ( HoBHEC), set for next year.

The event was introduced in 2015 by Formadat – a transboundary community forum that aims to promote the rich cultural and natural heritage of the highlands in Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia) and North Kalimantan ( Indonesia).

Registration for ‘ HoBHEC III’ is now open and the organiser is calling upon all adventure-seekers from around the world to join ‘this escapade of a lifetime’.

The third edition offers various packages to cater to different needs, with different trails and flexible days ranging between four and 14 days – any time from June 27 to July 10 next year.

“The event aims to promote ecotourism as a sustainable cottage industry for the communities living in the highlands of Sarawak, Sabah and North Kalimantan – all of which lies in the Heart of Borneo ( HoB). It is an event supported by Worldwide Fund For nature ( WWF)-Malaysia and Rurum Kelabit Sarawak – to name a few,” said Formadat Sarawak deputy chairman and event director John Tarawe at the closing of ‘ Pesta Nukenen’ (Food Festival) in Bario last weekend, where Baram MP Anyi Ngau performed the soft launch of HoBHEC III.

Adding on, John expressed the hope for HoBHEC III to help publicise Borneo’s northern highlands, in line with the ‘Visit HoB’ campaign launched this year.

“We also hope to establish sustainable alternative livelihood means for the local communities through this eco-tourism event and increase the sense of appreciation for the environment in locals and visitors.

“HoBHEC III also allows participants to experience living with the locals – the Lundayeh, the Lun Bawangs and the Kelabits – in the highlands,” he said in a press statement released here yesterday.

The seven packages under HoBHEC III are the ‘CrossCountry Journey’ ( five- day, four-night), ‘ Jungle Exploration’ ( five- day, four night), ‘A Walk in the Clouds’ (seven- day, six-night), ‘Journey in the Wild’ (nine- day, eight-night), ‘Highland Discovery’ (10- day, nine-night), ‘ Highlands Adventure’ (10- day, nine-night), and ‘ Warrior’s Trail’ (14- day, 13night) – priced between RM2,500 and RM6,000 per package.

For more details on these packages, go to www. formadat. org, or https://www. facebook. com/hobecochallenge.

Alternatively, send emails to John via john.tarawe@ gmail.com.