www.nst.com By Joinston Bingkuai The last of unlogged lowland forest in Sabah, Imbak Canyon, with its rich biodiversity, promises considerable potential for eco-tourism.
Tucked away in the heart of Sabah is a sweeping swathe of pristine, unspoilt forest, called Imbak Canyon. Not many may know it, but the Imbak Canyon is the last remaining substantial area of unlogged lowland forest in the State.
It is part of a large timber concession awarded to Yayasan Sabah (YS) by the State Government. However, recognising the rich biodiversity of the area, YS decided to turn it into a conservation area in 2003 for the purpose of research, education and training as well as development of eco-tourism.
Just north of the world renowned Maliau Basin, Imbak Canyon is a 25km long valley, hemmed in on three sides by impressive sandstone ridges, the highest peak of which soars abruptly to 1,120 metre above sea levesl.
There is little comparable to the scenic beauty of the upper Imbak valley, which is U-shaped and studded with waterfalls.
With a total area of about 30,000 hectares, the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) encompasses two ridge-top virgin jungle reserves.
The remoteness of its location, combined with limited accessibility, has left the area with minimal human impact, while its geographical location within the upper Kinabatan gan area makes it a potential site for wildlife refuge.
Apart from its rich biodiversity, the shape and location of the canyon make it an important water catchment and headwater of the Kinabatangan River, the main source of water for the Sandakan area.
ICCA ground staff, in collaboration with Raleigh International UK, have started to record detailed baseline biological and mapping data of the area besides locating suitable sites and trail networks.
A feasibility study is being carried out for a field centre to be set up in the area.
According to YS, to date only a small part of the canyon has been explored through two scientific expeditions. The first expedition, initiated by the Sabah Forestry Department in 2000, covered the entrance to the canyon.
Last year, a two-week expedition was carried out in the heart of the canyon by YS with participation from various local and international organisations.
Among the studies conducted were in the area of hydrology, climatology and exploration, geology and gemorphology, botany, forestry, ornithology, herpetology and ichthyology and the area’s eco-tourism potential.
“The outcome of the two expeditions shows that the Imbak Canyon has considerable potential for scientific research, conservation education and eco-tourism,” a YS official said.
The expedition revealed a rich source of medicinal plants in the area with 69 species from at least 15 families identified.
On herb biodiversity, 62 families were found. Other discoveries include 45 species of ginger, 68 fern species and 62 orchid species, including the rare Nepenthes Hirusta.
YS officials said Imbak Canyon also plays an important role as part of the wildlife corridor for major mammals connecting Danum Valley Conservation Area and Maliau Basin Conservation Area.
The two expeditions also revealed that the canyon is home of some of Sabah’s most rare and endangered animal species such as the Bornean Pygmy Elephant and Proboscis Monkey.
There have also been sightings of Sumatran Rhionceros footprints, Borneon Gibbon and Red Leaf Monkey.
Over 100 species of birds have so far been recorded in the area, including five endemic to Borneo. Two of these are the Oriental Darter and Helmeted Hornbill which are in the World Conservation Union (IUCN) list of threatened birds species.
Other findings include 40 species of butterflies, 40 species of termites and 163 specimens of beetles from 17 families. At least 30 species of amphibians and reptiles and six species of fish were also found. |
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