Birdwatching as new tourism package.
Sandakan: Birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor activity that has the potential to be one of the main tourism contributors in the State.
Permanent Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Datuk Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, said if birdwatching can be properly exposed, it can be among prominent players in Sabah's tourism sector.
"I was told that Sabah is home to some 688 types of bird species which attracted not only local but also international birdwatchers.
"Sabah is also rich in eco-tourism and birdwatchers are know to do their birdwatching in well-known eco-tourism spots. "There are around seven places in the State that are visited regularly by birdwatchers such as Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre, Danum Valley, Kinabalu Park, Likas Bay and Tabin," he said.
He said in order to encourage and boost the birdwatching activity and turn it into a tourism package, the Ministry will organise a meeting with the tour operators.
Datu Rosmadi was speaking at the opening of 10th Borneo Bird Festival at Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). Meanwhile, he advised tourism players to shoulder their obligation as the custodian of the environment, thus, appreciating the world class eco-tourism spots in Sabah.
Also present at the ceremony were President of Sandakan Borneo Bird Club Sabah, Gary Albert, Chief Conservator of Sabah Forestry Department, Datuk Mashor Mohd Jaini, Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong, speakers, birdwatchers and members of the public.
In the ceremony, Datu Rosmadi also launched "A naturalist's guide to the Birds of Borneo" written by Wong Tsu Shi, a keen photographer who is in interested in the photo-documentation of the birds of Borneo.
His book is an easy-to-use identification guide to 280 birds found in Borneo covering Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan including the most commonly seen and rare endemic species.
The two-day event was enlivened with various activities such as talks, bird photography, guided birdwatching, bird mimic contest, bird race, booth exhibitions, Borneo bird run and so forth. - Winnie Kasmir
Source : Daily Express
