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Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Off-road nature expedition to heart of Sabah
For lovers of the great outdoors, Sabah makes a bountiful adventure playground — from challenging terrains and majestic mountains to lush tropical rainforest and exotic wildlife. If you're a fan of off-road expeditions, the untamed roads of Telupid and Tongod, which lie smack dab in the middle of Sabah, offer a mammoth-sized challenge to conquer. Together with a team from North Borneo Pictures, led by renowned professional photographer Cede Prudente, and his team of professional photographers, plus other nature aficionados, I braced up for the once-in-a-lifetime adventure of off-roading and nature exploring in the heart of Sabah. Tawai Forest Reserve The small town of Telupid is located approximately a five-hour drive away from Kota Kinabalu city centre. Not many are aware that this town is home to one of the best virgin rainforests in Sabah — the Tawai Forest Reserve. As a Class I Forest Reserve, the thick foliage surrounding Tawai Forest Reserve makes it an ideal place for birdwatching and photography. Amongst the species of birds ever spotted here are the Oriental Darter, Dollarbird, Gold-whiskered Barbet and the rare Red-crowned Barbet. Even if you aren't much of a birdwatcher, the forest reserve still offers wonderful terrain for jungle trekking. There are also many species of plants to be spotted here, such as the Nepenthes rafflesiana pitcher plant. A caveat: the atmosphere at Tawai Forest Reserve is very humid. Do have an ample water supply handy at all times. Another great feature of the Tawai Forest Reserve is the clear and pristine Meliau River. After a long, hot day of trekking, a dip in its cool and refreshing water is a well-deserved reward. The Meliau River is also home to a school of the friendly neighbourhood Pelian fish 'masseuses', so don't be surprised when something starts nibbling on your toes while you frolic in the water. As for ticklish old me, I chose to swim with my shoes on. Once upon a time, Tawai Forest Reserve had also been chosen as the destination for the filming of a Scandinavian reality TV show called 'Girls in the Wild'. This reality show featured seven privileged 18-year-old Danish debutantes as they struggled for survival in the Sabahan outback. The highest peak in Tawai Forest Reserve is called the Microwave Hill. This hill is equipped with an observation tower on which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Telupid town and its highly forested surroundings. Just before sunset, some of us defy our fear of height to climb up the observation tower for an awe-inspiring view of Telupid set against the vermilion sky in nature's embrace. Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) Another off-road and trekking destination in the heart of Sabah is the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA), which lies in the district of Tongod, circa five-hour drive away from Telupid. The first hour of the journey will be on a paved road, while the remainder of the journey will range from tumbling on gravelly roads to slushy mud-splattered trails. Surrounded by the Maliau Basin Conservation Area in the west and the Danum Valley Conservation Area in the north, the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area is a 30,000-hectare lowland dipterocarp forest with a montane heath forest of similar characteristics to Maliau Basin's. Like Maliau Basin, the river in Imbak Canyon also flows with similar tea-toned water due to dissolved tannins. Together, Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon are collectively known as the DaMaI Rainforest Complex. This rainforest complex spans around one million hectares and contains one of the last intact primary forests and wildlife habitats in Asia for endangered megafauna. The DaMaI Rainforest Complex also serves as a core conservation site in Sabah and forms the basis of a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site. In itself, the Imbak Canyon is a 'hidden valley' carved between sandstone cliffs that rise over 1,000 meters above sea level, making it a unique and visually stunning landscape. To most visitors, the main attraction of Imbak Canyon would be the 30-metre-wide Imbak Falls. Imbak Falls is located six kilometres away from Tampoi Base Camp, and it takes another 45 minutes to an hour's drive to reach. In addition to Imbak Falls, there is also a 120-metre-tall eight-tier waterfall in the northern ridge of Imbak Canyon, which was discovered by Raleigh International volunteers in 2004. However, getting there takes a four-day trek from the Tampoi Base Camp. Apart from that, a larger area of the canyon is still waiting to be explored. Other than spectacular waterfalls, Imbak Canyon is also home to an abundance of medicinal plants and other plant species, birds and reptiles. There are many high-quality commercial timbers found in the area as well as rare species of ferns, wild ginger and orchids. Sightings of wildlife such as the Bornean Elephant, Sambar Deer, Bornean Sun Bear and Clouded Leopard have been reported in the past. Birdwatchers will also be thrilled to find endemic bird species such as the Blue-headed Pitta, White-browed Shama, Black-throated Wren Babbler, Bornean Blue Flycatcher and Bornean Bristlehead within the Imbak forest. On our way back from the trek, we heard a high-pitched hoot on the horizon. Our forest guide stopped in his tracks and signalled for us to listen. 'That's a male gibbon calling his partner. The female recognises her l partner's call and returns it — something like singing a duet,' he said, 'and did you know that gibbons are loyal partners? They form a lifelong pairing once they mate.' I always find new lessons and thrilling stories in nature. Luckily, Sabah holds an abundance of these untold narratives, bursting to be heard. For more information, get in touch with North Borneo Pictures Sdn Bhd at SD 11, iJM Garden Villa, Mile 6, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. Telephone number: +60178987069, or email: [email protected]. Visit the website at
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
14 dists in state home to 181 bird species, finds new study
1 2 3 Ranchi: A survey across 14 districts over a span of four years has documented the presence of nine endangered species of birds in the state. The study, conducted by the state biodiversity board, was carried out between 2022 and 2025, its officials said. Among the endangered species include Asian Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Ferruginous Duck, Oriental Darter, Western Marsh Harrier, Lesser Adjutant Stork, River Lapwing, River Tern, and Fulvous Whistling Duck. The study, which was conducted across Ranchi, Khunti, Lohardaga, Gumla, Hazaribag, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Giridih, Dumka, Dhanbad, Sahibganj, Deoghar, Ramgarh, and Jamtara districts, also documented 181 different species of birds. Of them, 119 are waterbird species, the study has shown. The census was carried out in collaboration with forest division officials, ornithologists, birdwatchers, and Anganwadi Centres state coordinators. Over the three-year period, a total of 132,161 birds were recorded 5,636 in 2022, 60,855 in 2024, and 65,670 in 2025. Particularly notable is the increase in the population of Ferruginous Ducks, from just 13 in 2022 to 137 in 2025. Notably, the population of the Ferruginous Duck has grown from just 13 in 2020 to 137 in 2025. In 2024, the Fulvous Whistling Duck registered its highest recorded population (1,845). Sanjeev Kumar, principal chief conservator of forest and member secretary of the biodiversity board, said, "The rising trend in both waterbirds and other species signifies positive outcomes in biodiversity conservation across wetlands, terrestrial, and forest ecosystems. The improved ecological balance has enhanced the availability of food and breeding grounds, which is directly contributing to species diversification and population growth. " The bird census was conducted in line with guidelines provided by the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) under Wetlands International. Carried out annually in January-February, the survey covered both large and small water bodies using the direct sighting method. Kumar, said, "The primary goals of the census are to monitor population trends of aquatic birds, estimate bird numbers across wetland sites, and better understand waterbird migration patterns. It also aims to raise public awareness and train individuals in bird identification and conservation in state, while promoting long-term monitoring and habitat protection."
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
PNLIT steps away from Puttenahalli Lake maintenance after BBMP notice
After 15 years of maintaining Puttenahalli Lake, also known as Puttakere, in South Bengaluru, the Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) has stepped back from nurturing the lake following a notice from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). PNLIT played a key role in rejuvenating the 13-acre and 25-gunta lake in 2010. In 2011, the trust signed an MoU with the BBMP to maintain the lake with support from local residents. From its neglected state in 2008, the lake flourished after restoration and began attracting numerous migratory and native birds. According to eBird data, 125 bird species, including the Oriental Darter and White-breasted Waterhen, have been recorded at the lake. Notably, 17 species, such as the spot-billed duck and Brahminy kite, have nested there. The lake is also home to 88 different tree species, totalling over 500 trees. As per BBMP records, the civic body took over the lake's maintenance from the Forest Department in 2008, which paved the way for its rejuvenation. Usha Rajagopalan, co-founder of PNLIT, told The Hindu that BBMP lacked a post-rejuvenation plan, prompting her and local residents to establish PNLIT. 'We signed an MoU with BBMP for lake maintenance from 2011 to 2014, and it was then renewed twice, in 2014 and 2017, lasting until 2020,' said Ms. Rajagopalan. However, in 2020, the BBMP did not renew the MoU after the Karnataka High Court ruled that the government could not enter into such agreements (related to lakes) with corporate entities. The order, however, did not prohibit the government from accepting corporate funds for lake rejuvenation. Ms. Rajagopalan mentioned that PNLIT filed an interlocutory application in response to the court's order, and the hearing is still ongoing. Even prior to this development, PNLIT had hired workers and had been maintaining the lake for over a decade. Ms. Rajagopalan emphasised that PNLIT is a registered charitable trust with 80G tax exemption for donors and is fully audited and tax-compliant. 'Since we had filed an interlocutory application, we continued nurturing the lake and carried out timely pruning and other maintenance activities,' she told The Hindu. However, in a notice dated June 10, the civic body directed PNLIT to remove all boards from the trees and to cease unauthorised work, in this case, pruning and other maintenance tasks. According to Ms. Rajagopalan, the PNLIT community was disheartened by the notice and decided to withdraw. 'We can't fight anymore; we have been fighting for more than a decade,' a devastated Ms. Rajagopalan told The Hindu. A BBMP official from the lake division described PNLIT's collection of funds for lake maintenance as 'illegal,' which led to the issuance of the notice. 'The High Court has barred us from such MoUs, and if this group is collecting money for lake maintenance, then isn't it illegal?' the official asked.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Arunachal club's 2-day survey records 89 bird species at Nongsaya Lake in Namsai
1 2 3 4 5 6 Itanagar: A total of 89 different bird species were recorded during a two-day bird survey conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club at Nongsaya Lake, located at Jona in Namsai district. The survey was conducted earlier this year in association with the public works department, Namsai division, conservationist Koj Mama said. Nongsaya Lake, situated around 9km from Namsai district headquarters, offers an opportunity for biodiversity protection. Its surrounding environment has the potential for bird and butterfly conservation, as well as providing natural spaces for environmental education and recreation. Mama said the lake has the potential to contribute to sustainable development and community engagement in ecosystem protection. The survey was conducted, he said, recognising the ecological importance of the lake. During the survey, Oriental Darter and Lesser Adjutant were recorded in the lake, while pale-chinned Blue Flycatcher, blossom-headed Parakeet, yellow-bellied Warbler, and chestnut-capped Babbler were recorded in the forested area. Additionally, the team documented several butterfly species, including the rare Assam Pasa, highlighting the region's ecological diversity. Nongsaya Lake is surrounded by lush green forests and holds tremendous potential as a habitat for migratory waterbirds. With proper infrastructure and thoughtfully designed trekking routes that limit wildlife disturbance, the lake and its surrounding forests have the potential to become a global bird watching destination. With proper development, it has the potential to attract ecotourism, enhance local livelihoods, and assist environmental preservation projects. The lake serves several functions, including conservation, sustainable fishing, recreation, and migratory bird sanctuary, Mama added. The development of Nongsaya Lake as a green, biodiverse region has the potential to improve Namsai district's environmental and economic sustainability. The Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club, founded in 2012, is a pioneering organisation in the state's bird conservation efforts. The club is dedicated to gathering information on bird species and habitats, creating awareness among local communities, and emphasising the importance of bird conservation and birdwatching as a sustainable livelihood alternative.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- The Hindu
48th summer festival kicks off in Yercaud with week-long flower show and cultural events
The 48th edition of the Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show was inaugurated on Friday by Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan, and Tourism Minister R. Rajendran in the presence of Salem District Collector R. Brindha Devi. Speaking at the event, Mr. Panneerselvam said the State government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, has been implementing several welfare schemes, including the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, which provides ₹1,000 per month to over 1.15 crore women. Other initiatives such as Vidiyal Payanam and the Breakfast Scheme were also highlighted. He noted that under the backyard garden initiative, 15 lakh households across Tamil Nadu had received vegetable seeds and benefitted through the horticulture department. The week-long flower show and summer festival at Anna Park features over 50,000 roses sculpted into forest-themed displays, including elephants, deer, monkeys, and other animals. A replica of the Mettur Dam's 16-shutter spillway, made with 73,000 roses, is a key attraction. Awareness-themed installations created from over 6,000 carnations and roses highlight topics such as waste management and biodiversity. Cartoon character displays and selfie points have been created to attract children and families. More than 30,000 flower pots have been arranged, and decorative lighting enhances the park's visual appeal. Several government departments have also set up stalls exhibiting horticultural produce and value-added products. Mr. Rajakannappan spoke about welfare schemes for forest-dwelling communities and noted that more than 20,000 students and residents had selected the Oriental Darter as Salem district's bird. Mr. Rajendran said the festival helps boost local tourism and showcases Yercaud's natural charm. He expressed confidence that this year's event would attract larger crowds and offer a memorable experience for visitors from across the State.
