PADAWAN: A change in the location of the finish line for the next Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2019 is expected to be a boon to the economy of local people.
Padawan Municipal Council deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said moving the finish line from the plateau atop the Borneo Highland to the foothill would encourage more Bidayuhs within the three-kilometre radius of the foothill to take part in one way or another.
“This will allow more of them to sell their local products, handcrafts, food and beverages, and provide certain services including homestay,” he said at the closing ceremony of the Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2019 here yesterday.
The rest, he said, could just be observers of the various activities.
Enabling the community to partake in such an event would help them diversify their sources of income, he said as he took note of the awesome landscapes which could be enjoyed by visitors who appreciate lush tropical rainforests.
“There is no other local authority like ours that encourage more eco-tourism activities. Padawan definitely has an eco-friendly and healthy environment. We have so much tourism products to offer. We have streams and rivers within the tropical rainforest and there’s the beautiful Penrissen Heights,” he said.
He hoped that the nature challenge could be expanded with more events that could put Padawan on the world tourism map.
“To all tertiary institution students who participated in this year’s challenge as well as local and foreign enthusiasts, we hope that you can help promote this event through your networks.
“I would like to record my sincere gratitude to all committee members and the organiser for helping to realise this event,” he said.
