KUCHING: The Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples in the Highlands of Borneo (FORMADAT) recently had a fruitful working visit to the state capital in its bid to obtain support from the state government in the coming Heart Of Borneo Eco Challenge II.
FORMADAT entourage from Bario, Ba’Kelalan and Long Semadoh, led by its national chairman Penghulu George Sigar, paid a courtesy call on Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
FORMADAT is a trans-boundary, grassroots initiative that aims to increase awareness and understanding of the communities of the highlands, maintain cultural traditions, build local capacity, and encourage sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo without risking the degradation of the quality of the social and natural environment.
During the meeting, Lee said the ministry welcomed the alliance’s efforts to promote the event, which is a niche ecotourism product in the highlands.
Among others, he said, the ministry would help FORMADAT to promote the Heart of Borneo Eco Challenge II in Sarawak Tourism Board’s website.
He hoped that the highlanders would benefit from this event, particularly those who are operating homestay, working as nature guides and porters and transporters.
Organised by FORMADAT, the Heart of Borneo Eco Challenge II will take place from 20 to 29 July, 2017. The challenge is not a competition but an ecotourism event that relives history, culture and stewardship of nature in the highlands.
The challenge offers six trails to cater for different interests of jungle trekkers. For hard core jungle trekkers, the 10-day 9-night Heart of Borneo trail is recommended as the adventure starts with a journey to Sipitang, Sabah and ends in Bario after crossing neighbouring highlands of Long Semadoh, Ba’ Kelalan, Sarawak and Long Bawan, Kalimantan on foot, boat and four-wheel drive vehicle. This is the longest trail and ends in Bario on the first day of Pesta Nukenen Bario Food and Cultural Festival.
For those who are pressed for time can opt for shorter trails such as the 5-day 4-night Jungle Exploration trail, or 6-day 5-night Chillaxing In the Highlands trail.
Between 27 and 31 March, FORMADAT leaders also paid courtesy calls to the Permanent Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datu Ik Pahon, Sarawak Forest Department director Haji Sapuan Ahmad, Sarawak Museum Director Ipoi Datan, Immigration Department deputy director Haji Hamfatullah Syawal and Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia director Charles Suriya Buas, as well as the Indonesian-Consul General in Kuching Drs Jahar Gultom to seek assistance and support from these agencies to ensure a smooth event.
They also met Sarawak Energy Berhad’s Group Chief Executive Officer Sharbini Suhaili, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak President Dr Philip Raja and FORMADAT Patron Dato’ Isaac Lugun.
Meanwhile, the Heart of Borneo Eco Challenge II is now open for registration. The event aims to promote the importance of conservation in the highlands and preserve its history, nature and culture.
So the concept of treading lightly, take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints, is core to the organiser and participants.
Enjoy early bird price for registration before 30 April, 2017. For more information, visit www.formadat.com, www.facebook.com/hobecochallenge or email to ecochallenge@formadat.com.
