Khamis, Mei 10, 2012

TRAVERSING THROUGH SABAH’S IMBAK CANYON

Traversing through Sabah’s Imbak Canyon

GREEN AND FRESH: A tourist viewing Imbak Canyon waterfall. — Bernama photo

KINABATANGAN,Sabah May 10, 2012: ‘A valuable piece of natural heritage’ – this epithet best describes the Imbak Canyon conservation area located in Ulu Kinabatangan, right in the heart of Sabah.

The 30,000-hectare virgin dipterocarp forest lies between two other conservation areas – the Danum Valley and the Maliau Basin.

One may wonder, however, whether the landscape here resembles the Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States. Not exactly, but the word ‘canyon’ in the name refers to the 750-metre deep and 3-kilometre wide ravine carved out of the rock cliffs by the Imbak River, which makes part of the landscape look like a canyon.

The Imbak Canyon is surrounded by sandstone cliffs reaching a height of 3,700 feet, and the numerous flora and fauna thriving in this rain forest represent a rich biodiversity.

The Imbak Canyon, located at a five-hour drive away from Kota Kinabalu, is managed by Yayasan Sabah (YS), which is involved in the conservation, research, training, education and nature recreation activities conducted there.

The beauty of the canyon

The Imbak Canyon is a catchment area for two important rivers in the state – the Imbak and the Kinabatangan Rivers – which not only provide water but also serve as a mode of transport and livelihood source for those living in the area.

Nestled between the Maliau Basin and the Danum Valley, the Imbak Canyon is regarded as an important buffer zone for wildlife, according to Yayasan Sabah’s head of Conservation and Environmental Management Dr Waidi Sinun.

Three expeditions conducted in 2000, 2004 and 2010, respectively, explored the natural treasures of the area, identifying 312 plant species in the region, of which 32 were endemic to Borneo, including six species which are found only in Sabah.

With regard to the fauna, Dr Waidi remarked that more than 200 species of birds live in Imbak Canyon, five of which are endemic to Borneo and found only in the conservation area.

These expeditions have also recorded the presence of pygmy elephants, leopards, bears, mouse deer and the Sumatran rhinoceros in this region.

“The Class 1 Forest Reserve also boasts of a unique landscape, with the ravine – which appears like a canyon – being the most striking feature,” Dr Waidi told Bernama at the recent inaugural ceremony of the Ulu Kinabatangan Information Centre and Jetty project at Kampung Imbak.

The Imbak Canyon is also home to two panoramic waterfalls – the Imbak Waterfalls and the 8-tier Waterfall.

Conservation efforts with Petronas

In its efforts to conserve Imbak Canyon, Yayasan Sabah has collaborated with the national petroleum giant Petronas to gather information about the area, undertake biodiversity conservation efforts, preserve the genetic pool and explore the pharmaceutical and biotechnological potential of the flora there.

“The Information Centre and Jetty project will open new economic opportunities for local communities to improve their livelihood without affecting the environment,” Dr Waidi explained.

The information centre will display informative posters on Ulu Kinabatangan and exhibit a 3D model of the canyon.

The information centre will also be of use to the Imbak Canyon Porter and Tourists Guide Association, and the locals would be able to sell their handicrafts at the centre.

Dr Waidi noted that the establishment of the information centre and the association for porters and guides was a step in the right direction towards involving the local communities in the conservation efforts.

36 ulasan:

  1. The Imbak Canyon is one of the best preserved forestry reserve in Sabah, Imbak along with Maliau Basin dan Danum Valley are roped off to create a buffer 3 times the size of Singapore as forest reserves. Thanks to the state government who stopped the logging and mining activities in those areas.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. Musa is the only chief minister who has stopped logging in the Ulu Segama Malua and Maliau basin. Without him, the forests and minerals such as gold there in the east coast of Sabah would have disappeared.

      Padam
    2. We are pround to have this valuable treasure.

      Padam
  2. Praises should be given to those who are involved in the efforts of forestry conservation within the state.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. Indeed they did a good job on preserving the forestry reserves, the Sabah foundation even planned to have Imbak, Maliau and Danum nominated for World Heritage Status.

      Padam
  3. Yayasan Sabah and Petronas are helping to make sure future generations benefit from the effort because turning it into a conservation area generates revenue for villagers within the vicinity of Imbak Canyon as well as provides knowledge on nature that can be useful for the tourism sector..

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. syukurlah dapat kecantikan ini bagi M'sia

      Padam
  4. The 133,000 ha sites would be nominated in a single heritage site which will be called DaMaI, an abbreviation of Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and the Imbak Canyon.

    BalasPadam
  5. Imbak Canyon adalah kawasan yang amat cantik, pasti tenang apabila berada di situ.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. Imbak canyon satu tarikan pelancongan di Negeri Sabah.harap kerajaan akan sentiasa menjaga tempat ini.

      Padam
    2. lokasi ini amat berpotensi untuk jadi tarikan pelancong.

      Padam
  6. One of the tourist attraction. I myself never come to this place yet.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. we should really visit this place, it's beautiful

      Padam
  7. Imbak Canyon is such a wonderful place that is located right in the heart of Sabah.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. Ini akan menjadi tarikan pelancongan.

      Padam
    2. Everyone should visit the place at least once in a lifetime.

      Padam
  8. I hope the government will grasp the true potential this place has to offer.

    BalasPadam
  9. There is a lot they can do that will eventually lead to improvement in Sabah.

    BalasPadam
  10. This place is full of bliss from Mother Nature.

    BalasPadam
  11. What a gift of nature to hold on to…utilize its nature resources.

    BalasPadam
  12. teringin nak pergi ke sana, keindahannya pasti tak terkata.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. ini pasti jadi lokasi tarikan ramai selepas ini.

      Padam
  13. Berbangga dengan keindahan yang ada di sabah,harap akan sentiasa di jaga bagi memelihara alam semulajadinya.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. Kecantikan semulajadi yang patut diturunkan kepada generasi akan datang

      Padam
    2. Sabah memang terkenal dengan keindahannya. kita harus bersyukur dengan keindahan ini.

      Padam
  14. Tempat2 destinasi pelancongan harus dijaga dan dipulihara agar sentiasa terjamin keasliannya.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. ya, perlu dipastikan keindahan semualajadi terpelihara keasliannya.

      Padam
  15. Keindahan alam sekitar harus dipelihara.

    BalasPadam
  16. keindahan dan alam semulajadi yang ada harus dijaga dengan sebaiknya dan dilindungi.

    BalasPadam
    Balasan
    1. kena menghargai apa yang telah diberikan Tuhan.

      Padam
  17. Tempat yang menarik seperti ini seharusnya kita perlulah jaga. Kerana ini merupakan tempat tarikkan pelancong.

    BalasPadam
  18. Teruskan membuka lebih banyak tempat menarik untuk dijadikan tempat perlancongan. Namun utamakan menjaga keindahan kawasan tersebut.

    BalasPadam
  19. we all should learn how to appreciate the beauty of nature and preserve it.

    BalasPadam
  20. satu lagi tempat untuk perlancongan.

    BalasPadam
  21. semoga ini dapat menarik lagi ramai pelancong untuk berkunjung.

    BalasPadam
  22. Sektor perlancongan amat penting dan dapat menyumbangkan kepada Sabah.

    BalasPadam