Sabah’s future environ protectors
Published on: Sunday, December 08, 2019
By: Rosly R T Jr
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They are introduced to the sound of birds chirping, water flowing and enjoy the crisp fresh air. And where better than in Maliau Basin, also known as the “Lost World”. That is the beauty of the Maliau Basin. “It is true that the beauty of Maliau Basin attracts the public and makes them fall in love with its nature and authenticity of the flora and fauna that are preserved in this area,” said Hasmiati binti Baharuddin, a teacher from SM St. Patrick, Tawau who attended the Nature Orientation Course (NOC) recently.
“Maliau Basin has become the main destination for nature explorers as it is a unique forest area that includes montane and dipterocarp forests that consists of the Agathis. The highlight of the adventure in Maliau Basin is to witness the seven-tiered Maliau waterfall,” said Hasmiati.
The species of flora in Maliau is unique and diverse including at least six species of pitcher plants, Rafflesia tengku-adlinii, Rhododendron and more than 150 species of orchids where a few species were recorded for the first time in Sabah including Coelogyne odoardi, an orchid that is endemic to Borneo. As a botanical source, MBCA is a valuable treasure.
More than 1,800 species of trees were recorded including 54 species of trees that were listed in the IUCN Red Data.
“The experience of forest activities in the Maliau Basin with SNC team proved to be a challenge and taught me how to care and protect nature,” said Farizul Hadin, a form four student from SMK Sook, Keningau.
Every year SNC organises environmental education programmes for selected schools at conservation areas under the purview of Yayasan Sabah Group such as Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon.
According to the Director of Yayasan Sabah Datuk Jamalul Kiram Datuk Mohd Zakaria, SNC is dedicated to the students as they are the next generation who will look after the future of Sabah’s heritage.
“This is the first step for them to be more exposed and aware of the importance of caring for the environment,” he said.
Recently, a total of 28 students accompanied by four teachers joined the NOC at Maliau Basin Studies Centre, Tongod from 18 to 22 November 2019. These students were chosen from SNC of secondary schools around Sabah namely SMK Tambunan, SMK Sook, SM St. Francis Xavier, Keningau, SM St. Michael, Penampang, SMK Jalan Apas Tawau, SM St. Patrick, Tawau dan SMK Kalabakan, Tawau.
“Throughout our journey as a team, we were fortunate enough to learn a lot about the species of flora and fauna in this millions-year old forest. Besides this, the experience of participating in the NOC programme allowed me to see for myself the species of flora and fauna that I only study at school,” Farizul explained.
“NOC programme creates a sense of love for nature and gives awareness to the existence of nature as one of the most precious things in the world. The efficiency in managing the programme that is filled with activities makes the SNC programme as a medium to express love and care for nature,” he added.
There are more than 278 species of birds in Maliau Basin including 20 that are endemic to Borneo namely Bulwers Pheasant, Borneo Bristlehead, Black-Headed Pitta and Borneon Banded Pitta. This makes Maliau Basin as an ecotourism centre for bird watching.
“Bird watching in Maliau Basin is not the same as seeing a bird in a cage in bird parks. SNC provides binoculars for easy viewing and identification of bird species as well as a guide book for bird species located in the Maliau Basin,” said Muhammad Erfanie Evan Elvandy, a form four student from SM St. Patrick, Tawau.
According to Muhammad Erfanie, “The uniqueness of Maliau Basin is that it is home to endangered animals. I am proud to be part of this NOC programme where I see SNC’s efforts in educating the public on the importance of protecting and conserving forests for a better future.”
Maliau Basin has long been home to 92 species of mammals such as Tembadau, Clouded Leopard, Malayan Sunbear dan Borneon Pygmy Elephant.
Throughout the NOC programmes, students are also exposed on how to become successful entrepreneurs by Dr. Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan who is a researcher of the mushroom ecosystem and also a lecturer at Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation, University Malaysia Sabah.
According to Cammie Azaleia, a form four student from SMK Tambunan, Tambunan, “The most memorable experience for me during this course is crossing on the canopy walk where I can see the overall landscape of Maliau Basin. Besides this, I also had the chance to explore the various species of mushrooms in the forest. I can see the differences between the mushrooms to determine its species. With this knowledge, I know which mushrooms can or cannot be eaten.”
All students who participated in this course were very grateful for the knowledge they have gained. Courses like these teach them especially about the importance of preserving nature.
Jackqueenlyn Joseph, a form five student from SM St. Michael Penampang said, “NOC has allowed me to learn how to use binoculars to see birds, tackle rope challenges, recognise different types of mushrooms and learn about trees and bird species. I am happy with the activities conducted and the techniques that have been exposed to me are beneficial.”
She also praised the SNC for organising a programme that opens up new and exciting experiences to students. “I am very pleased with the overall programme, the staff of Yayasan Sabah Group took good care of us and ensure that we were comfortable during our stay in Maliau Basin. I am really happy with the programme,” Jackqueenlyn explained.
“Organising nature-related programmes is a noble endeavour of Yayasan Sabah Group. Through this programme we learn to recognise different types of flora and fauna and understand the importance of nature,” she added.
Jacqueenlyn hopes SNC will organise more nature programmes in any of Yayasan Sabah Group conservation areas so that more students are exposed on the importance of nature.
Meanwhile, Aidil Izwan Mohd @ Mohamad Abdul Kiram, a form three student from SMK Jalan Apas, Tawau, applauded Yayasan Sabah Group’s initiative in creating awareness on the environment through SNC programmes. “Maliau Basin is one of the unique conservation areas and its existence is important because it is home to endangered animals,” he explained.
“NOC is an excellent programme for students in learning about biodiversity that is previously unknown to us, students,” Aidil said. He added, NOC does not only instil a sense of love and appreciation for the beauty of the environment but also teaches him to care and protect nature from individuals who threaten to destroy the beauty of the forest ecosystem.
“Among the invaluable experience and things learned through the NOC programme was the diversity of mushrooms found in the forest with Dr. Jaya,” Aidil said.
According to Velinda Johnny G. Staun, a form four student from SM St. Francis Xavier, Keningau, “I found a lot of interesting and fascinating information on flora and fauna. NOC is great for giving young people an understanding and knowledge of the importance of caring for the environment. Education on the environment needs to be applied to young people like us to help us understand the importance of forests, rivers, animals and the earth for life. This enables the younger generation to appreciate the environment and preserve it from being extinct or lost in time.”
“I hope NOC will continue throughout the State as it benefits the younger generation. It imparts informal or out-of-class education compares to learning in schools that focus more on textbook learning,” she added.
“I will share my experience and knowledge of the environment I have acquired in this course to other SNC members in my school and everyone in my community,” she remarked.
Siti Syamsiah Abdullah, a form four student from SMK Inanam School, Kota Kinabalu, considers the existence of Maliau Basin as essential to protect the endangered animals, ecosystem and thus gives awareness on the importance of flora and fauna to the community, especially the younger generation. “This can inspire the community to instil a sense of love for the environment,” she said.
“I am deeply touched by the opportunity provided by SNC to involve us in bird watching activities and learn about the different species of birds that live in Maliau Basin,” she said. Bird watching is one of the activities held at the orientation where students and teachers were brought to see for themselves the different species of birds found in Maliau Basin.
Besides this, Siti also expressed her gratitude to SNC because through its activities she met new friends and shared knowledge among each other while carrying out the activities. “SNC’s activities have taught me to be stronger in facing challenges and I learn to manage time better,” said Siti.
“I hope that Yayasan Sabah Group will organise more SNC activities because through these activities we can get a deeper understanding of the forests in Sabah,” said Siti. She also suggested Yayasan Sabah Group open more SNC memberships to others.
It is clear here that these programmes help students to be closer to the environment and thus develop a first-class society who are environmentally conscious.
In general, the environmental education programme conducted by Yayasan Sabah Group through the SNC intervention is well-structured and has led to a positive impact in schools and students. Hence, let us allow ourselves and our children to bond with nature and promoting interest and knowledge about wildlife, forest and the environment among the youths in Sabah.
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