2009/07/20

By Roy Goh

KOTA KINABALU: Harvard University scientist Dr Campbell Webb has spent years in biodiversity research in Southeast Asia.

But each time he steps into Maliau Basin, the botanist is humbled by the vast biodiversity in the conservation area, also known as the "Lost World".



Webb, who in the last decade has conducted courses and research in the 588-square km area, which comes under the care of the Sabah Foundation, believes the biodiversity there remains almost intact.



For that same reason, the Indonesia-based botanist believes the conservation area would be better protected if it is made more accessible to people like tourists and scientists.



"I am sure many around the world would have heard of the place but not many have visited it.

"In the long run, if people learn more about the place, they will appreciate the place better," he said.

The American also notes it might not be a "Disneyland" but the place, located in the southern part of Sabah, is equipped with ample facilities for leisure and research alike.



The saucer-shaped area, distinguished by its almost circular perimeter, spans 25km in diameter. It is 190km from the east coast district of Tawau and reachable by road in about four hours.

By land from Kota Kinabalu, it takes about six hours via Keningau and Pensiangan, a distance of 260km. 



To visit the place, however, a permit is required from the foundation that manages the area for an inter-agency management committee which includes 18 other stakeholders from government departments, non-governmental organisations and universities. 



Day tours are allowed by obtaining a permit at the area's reception counter. It takes about an hour's drive, on a good day, to visit one of two base camps at the edge of the basin.



According to Brunei University post-graduate student Chak Wang Hoong of Perak, who took part in the Biodiversity of Borneo programme run by Harvard University's Arnold Arboretum recently, the term "lost world" said it all about the Maliau Basin.



"This is one of the best places I have been to. As a researcher, there is so much that we do not understand about it yet," said Chak, who is one of 18 international students participating in the programme coordinated by Webb.



Another Malaysian student, Mohd Ridwan Abd Rahman of Terengganu, said not only Malaysians should visit and appreciate the pristine forest but also people from other parts of the world. 



"I am sure if more people come here, it will be given due attention."



He picked the skybridge, a canopy walk that connects eight giant trees stretching over 1km and with a height of about 40m above the ground, as his favourite.


Indian engineer R. Sreekar, who showed no hesitation in swiping a dark substance he confirmed as bird droppings, also agreed that the skybridge was perfect for conducting research on birds. 



"I was tasked to do research on birds and being a birder (bird watcher), this is just what I needed," said Sreekar of Jawaharlal Nehru School of Technology, who paired with Vietnamese student Ngiem Thi Phuong Le of the National University of Singapore for the study.