Loagan Bunut touted as potential Ramsar site to boost eco-tourism
MIRI (July 13): Loagan Bunut National Park holds strong potential to be nominated as Malaysia's next Ramsar site, a move that would further promote eco-tourism in the Baram region.
In stating this, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, said to realise this goal, collaboration between local communities, especially the Berawan people living near Loagan Bunut, and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) is vital.
'I recently had a discussion with Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (State Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts) and he assured me that he would be visiting Loagan Bunut soon to see for himself the area's potential,' he said when officiating at the 'Siju Festival' at Rumah Dennis Jalin in Loagan Bunut early yesterday.
Penguang, the assemblyman for Marudi, also called upon residents to unite and work hand-in-hand with SFC and other government agencies in managing and preserving Loagan Bunut National Park.
He added that should Loagan Bunut be successfully designated as a Ramsar site, dedicated allocations would be channelled to both SFC and the local communities to support the conservation and sustainable management of the area.
'I appeal to the Berawan community, who have been entrusted with stewardship of Loagan Bunut, to safeguard this area not only for themselves, but also for the benefit of the younger generation in the years to come.'
Adding on, Penguang said as part of broader efforts to promote Logan Bunut as a tourism destination, at the launch of the Miri Heritage Trail last month, he had proposed extending the trail beyond Miri to include key historical and natural landmarks in Baram, namely Fort Hose in Marudi and Loagan Bunut.
Meanwhile, SFC deputy general manager Japanie Bujang said the corporation would continue engaging with the local communities to raise awareness of the advantages of Ramsar recognition for Loagan Bunut.
'SFC believes that conservation and community development must go hand in hand. That is why we fully support the initiative to allow villagers to run booths during this festival – offering traditional dishes, forest produce and handicrafts as a means of supplementary income over the two-day event.'
Japanie also expressed hope for the Siju Festival to become an annual affair.
Since ratifying the Ramsar Convention – or the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat – on March 10, 1995, Malaysia has had seven wetlands recognised as Ramsar sites so far.
They are Kuching Wetlands National Park in Sarawak; Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands as well as Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, in Sabah; Tanjung Piai, Pulau Kukup and Sungai Pulai, in Johor; and Tasek Bera in Pahang.
Also present yesterday were Miri Resident Galong Luang, and Beluru District officer Charles Aloysius Lis. eco-tourism Loagan Bunut Penguang Manggil Ramsar
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