KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s rural areas hold great promise as a birdwatching hotspot, opening up economic possibilities for the local community, says state Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
He said birdwatching is an excellent activity to integrate into the community-based tourism initiative that will attract visitors to the countryside.
These enthusiasts, he said, were willing to fly across the country and even going to remote places to view rare bird species.
In a statement, he urged rural communities to make the most of this opportunity by capitalising on the birdwatching market.
“These villagers have local expertise on distinctive bird species that can be sighted in their area,” said Bangkuai, who also chairs the Sabah Tourism Board.
“They can offer bird guiding services apart from the usual activities. This is also one way to encourage people to stay longer in the countryside,” he said.
He said the rural areas and its unspoiled flora and fauna provide great hideouts for birders, adding that Sabah is home to over 600 bird species.
On Friday, the Sabah Birdwatchers Association met with Bangkuai to talk about its projected 2023 programmes, which include workshops and photography contests.
The group, led by president Roger Rajah, discussed potential collaboration on a pilot project in Kiulu and other parts of Sabah, particularly regarding holding workshops to spread birding knowledge to rural folks that run community-based tourism businesses.
Bangkuai expressed support for the proposal and stated that the Sabah Tourism Board would help with any project that could be advantageous to tourism and the rural community.
He also suggested that the association collaborate with the Federation of Rural Tourism Association Sabah for further initiatives and programmes.
According to Sabah Birdwatchers Association vice president Ron Pudin, Kiulu is an ideal location for the pilot project because not many visit the rustic place for birdwatching activities despite it being a well-established eco-tourism destination.
