Forest experience is drawing tourists here
Published on: Monday, February 24, 2020
By: Johan Aziz
KENINGAU: Sabah Forest Conservasor Chief, Datuk Mashor Mohd Jaini, said there has been an increasing number of visitors and tourists to the Forest Management Unit (FMU) 10 and this required concerted efforts and cooperation from various parties to promote the FMU as an attractive eco-tourism destination.
"In light of this, the Forestry Department will take steps to enhance collaboration and cooperation with the District Office, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Tourism Operators, local residents, FMU 10 Malim or guides and all other stakeholders," he said.
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Speaking when closing the FMU 10 Guide Course at the Sabah Handicraft Center, here, he said Malaysians in Sabah are very lucky to have unique and exciting natural resources ranging from mountainous areas to islands and beaches.
He said these include plants such as Rafflesia flowers and monkey cup, wildlife such as Elephants and Orang Utans, Sipadan island and Malaysia's highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu and Trus Madi.
"I understand that this course is to train local community to guide visitors and tourists to the FMU 10 unit area.
He said the FMU is a forest conservation area classified as a Class I Forest Reserve consisting of three forest reserves namely Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve, Nuluhon Trusmadi (Extention) and Kiluyu River Forest Reserve with an area about 88,045 hectares, ”he said.
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Mashor said the FMU 10 area is rich with fascinating fauna and flora including landscape.
He said it was a natural attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists to visit the FMU especially climbing Mount Trusmadi at 2,642 meters above sea level which is the highest mountain in Malaysia after Mount Kinabalu.
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In addition, he said, the FMU 10 also has two more popular mountains climbing activities namely; Mount Sinsing at 2,603 meters and Mount Kaingaran at 2,482 meters high.
According to him, in addition to mountain climbing activities, the Sabah Forestry Department is also in the process of developing the FMU10 to offer other eco-tourism and forest recreation activities such as Wildflower Park Visits, Bird Watching, Night Safari activities to see wildlife at night and insect watching.
"For the purpose of improving the management of visitors and tourists to the FMU 10 area, the Forestry Department has provided a visitor guide not only for use of Forestry Department staff but also tourism operators and Malim FMU 10 to be registered by the Forestry Department.
"In anticipation of increasing numbers of visitors and tourists to the FMU 10 area, additional workforce such as a guide is needed and the Department of Forestry has taken the initiative to offer voluntary employment opportunities to a local resident living near the FMU 10 area.
"The Forestry Department has received very good response where about 600 locals attended an interview," he said.
Mashor said that based on interviews and fitness test sessions, about 100 people were selected.
Meanwhile, he said, the course was aimed at providing knowledge and skills to the participants to be an efficient, dedicated and competent in carrying out the task of bringing visitors and tourists to FMU 10.
He said that during the course, participants were also given knowledge in relevant fields from various agencies such as Sabah Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Sabah Wildlife Department, Keningau Health Department, Fire and Rescue Department and the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA).
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At the event, Mashor also presented certificates to 84 participants from Keningau, Tambunan and Sook.
Also present at the event were Keningau Regional MCEE Division Chief, Musa Salleh, Keningau Assistant District Officer, Edward Bungsu, Sook Assistant District Officer, Paul Isodore, Tambunan District Officer representative, Dennis Otigil and Forestry Department officials.