Sabah to test new birdwatching guidelines in forest reserves
Sabah chief conservator of forests Datuk Frederick Kugan said these proposals were drafted during a recent two-day workshop at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok, Sandakan.
He said a key outcome of the workshop, the first of its kind in Sabah, was the proposed classification system for bird hides to provide a clear and practical guide for identifying levels of development, safety and visitor readiness.
'This proposed system could also inform appropriate contributions or fees for hides operating within forest reserves, and forms a potential basis for revenue-sharing models that participants discussed,' he said when closing the workshop.
Kugan said these models are designed to support forest conservation, infrastructure upgrades and local community engagement.
He said that while birdwatching and accompanying bird hides had seen active growth in recent years, this development must not come at the expense of safety, forest protection, or sustainability.
He stressed the importance of establishing operating standards, safety guidelines and regulatory mechanisms aligned with the Sabah Forestry Department's conservation goals, particularly as bird tourism expands into more forest reserves.
Kugan also encouraged the formation of a working group to consolidate input from the workshop into draft guidelines and to begin piloting the proposed classification system and revenue models in selected forest reserves.
The workshop, themed "Responsible Birding, Sustainable Tourism", addressed the rapid growth of bird hides across Sabah and the need for a clear, sustainable approach that balances ecotourism, safety and forest protection.
The event drew over 50 participants from across Sabah, including district forest officers, bird hide operators, birdwatchers, tour guides and ecotourism stakeholders.
Participants exchanged ideas on improving bird hide operations while safeguarding forest ecosystems and ensuring visitor safety.
Earlier this year, concerns were raised by environmentalists and villagers over the emergence of bird hides in protected areas.
They are questioning whether or not these structures were legal and complied with environmental regulations, among other things.
Sabah Birdwatchers Association president Ron Pudin had been quoted as urging the public and local authorities to come up with a win-win proposal.
Birdwatching has garnered a lot of interest of late, with the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and other stakeholders working to promote and develop this community-based economy.
In August last year, state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also STB chairman, said the authorities were engaging with rural communities to help develop the state as a top global birdwatching destination.
He added that it was crucial to tap into the hobby's potential, as it could bring economic benefits to rural communities.
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