‘Promote Sarawak as avitourism destination’
MIRI: Efforts to boost Sarawak as avitourism ( or birding tourism) destination should be encouraged as the state has the biggest number of national parks with thousands of local and migratory bird species, suggests assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
He said avitourism or avian tourism focussing on local birding opportunity is gaining popularity around the world.
“It is a niche industry that is growing fast. We can see that more and more bird watchers are willing to fly to different parts of the world to see various bird species and this group includes nature photographers. Their enthusiasm in taking beautiful pictures of these tiny feathered creatures indirectly spreads awareness of environment preservation,” Lee said.
He added that Kuala Baram Wetlands in Miri has more than 100 species of birds, especially migratory birds from as far as Siberia, Alaska, China and the continent surrounding it. Flying thousands of kilometres to Miri, especially during the winter season, some even become permanent residents here.
“Three years ago, I took this matter up to the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem who was very keen on declaring Kuala Baram Wetlands as protected bird sanctuary.
“Unfortunately, most of the land here are privately- owned. Therefore, today, I have requested Sarawak Forestry Department and Wildlife Department to put up notices along the wetlands, to alert and warn people not to hunt birds.”
Lee also revealed that he had proposed for Kuala Baram Wetlands to be gazetted under the Important Birds Area ( IBA), turning the area into a bird conservation area, and that the Sarawak Forestry Department will take necessary action soonest to make it happen.
“The area that spans 600 hectares at the vicinity of Miri City is being monitored by Sarawak Forestry Department and Malaysian Nature Society ( MNS) for future research and publications apart from birding tourism.
“I do hope that Sarawak Forestry Department could also conduct birding course for the residents of nearby villages to provide necessary training in bird watching, so they could become narrators to tourists visiting the area. After all, birding tourism requires special training to identify and introduce the bird species.”
Meanwhile, in a bid to protect the area from bird hunters, Lee said rangers should be mobilised to patrol the areas to prevent bird poaching.
On promoting the wetland to foreign visitors, Lee suggested that it is necessary for Sarawak Tourism Board ( STB) and Ministry of Tourism to collaborate in introducing it as one of the many attractions in Sarawak.
Lee thanked MNS, Shell, European Union and Birdlife International for their support in organising a course that attracted over 30 participants.
The two- day course was held at Kampung Masjid, Kuala Baram from Dec 22 to 23. It introduced shoredbird identification training to participants and took beginners on a field trip.