Natural wonders just outside Kuching
Sarawak is a known ecological hotspot, lying as it does on the world's third largest island that also straddles the equator.
The state government has lately been doing much good work to boost its credentials on the sustainability front, and some of that was evident during the tour that the four of us took that day.
We started out early in the morning, heading out of the city about an hour after dawn for Telaga Air, a fishing settlement near the sea.
Lush mangroves thrive by the riverbank and some enterprising individuals have erected several floating cabins for anyone wishing to spend the night.
As we passed by in our rented motorboat, several endangered proboscis monkeys were rustling atop the mangroves, foraging for breakfast.
The boat picked up pace as we headed out to sea, in the direction of several small islands, including a rocky outcrop dubbed Pulau Burong because it was teeming with birds.
Soon enough, we made landfall on the pristine beach of one of the turtle islands of the Talang-Satang National Park.
As we alighted, the tracks of nesting turtles making their way up the beach were visible.
Park wardens would dutifully tag each turtle and later collect the eggs in hatching enclosures, some in the open and others in the shed because the sexes of hatchlings are determined by different incubating temperatures.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to provide limited accommodation on the island for those wishing to stay the night to catch turtles coming ashore during nesting season.
We next made for the Damai peninsula with its cluster of beach resorts, a golf course and the Sarawak Cultural Village, home of the annual Rainforest World Music Festival.
Mini cruise ships were milling around the wide river mouth mid-morning with boatloads of camera-toting tourists hoping for a glimpse of similarly endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
The boat ride inland is dreamlike, as the placid waters framed by thick mangroves and the majestic Matang hills in the background induce almost surreal calm, a guaranteed antidote for city-harried souls.
The calm waters of this Sungai Sarawak estuary will be perfect for some well-designed floating chalets.
As we headed back towards Telaga Air, we caught a glimpse of Monkey Island, so-called because it is where conservationists maintaining this veritable clutch of national and marine parks will confine monkeys misbehaving towards humans or nature.
Back on solid ground and after lunch by the Telaga Air Waterfront, we headed back to the city, but not before making a detour to the jetty for a short boat ride to one of the state's oldest national parks, Bako.
A night or two out in Bako will be de rigueur for nature-loving tourists but we were not planning on a night out of the city. So, yes, Kuching has eco-attractions for tourists in spades.
Sarawak — with its plethora of natural wonders from national parks to giant caves to exotic wildlife — is in a good position to cash in on its eco-tourism potential.
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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Natural wonders just outside Kuching
I JOINED some friends on a trip out to sea several weeks ago. It was a sort of experimental half-day tour to ascertain whether Kuching and its vicinity have what it takes to attract tourists who are looking for a different and eco-friendly sort of holiday. Sarawak is a known ecological hotspot, lying as it does on the world's third largest island that also straddles the equator. The state government has lately been doing much good work to boost its credentials on the sustainability front, and some of that was evident during the tour that the four of us took that day. We started out early in the morning, heading out of the city about an hour after dawn for Telaga Air, a fishing settlement near the sea. Lush mangroves thrive by the riverbank and some enterprising individuals have erected several floating cabins for anyone wishing to spend the night. As we passed by in our rented motorboat, several endangered proboscis monkeys were rustling atop the mangroves, foraging for breakfast. The boat picked up pace as we headed out to sea, in the direction of several small islands, including a rocky outcrop dubbed Pulau Burong because it was teeming with birds. Soon enough, we made landfall on the pristine beach of one of the turtle islands of the Talang-Satang National Park. As we alighted, the tracks of nesting turtles making their way up the beach were visible. Park wardens would dutifully tag each turtle and later collect the eggs in hatching enclosures, some in the open and others in the shed because the sexes of hatchlings are determined by different incubating temperatures. Perhaps it would be a good idea to provide limited accommodation on the island for those wishing to stay the night to catch turtles coming ashore during nesting season. We next made for the Damai peninsula with its cluster of beach resorts, a golf course and the Sarawak Cultural Village, home of the annual Rainforest World Music Festival. Mini cruise ships were milling around the wide river mouth mid-morning with boatloads of camera-toting tourists hoping for a glimpse of similarly endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. The boat ride inland is dreamlike, as the placid waters framed by thick mangroves and the majestic Matang hills in the background induce almost surreal calm, a guaranteed antidote for city-harried souls. The calm waters of this Sungai Sarawak estuary will be perfect for some well-designed floating chalets. As we headed back towards Telaga Air, we caught a glimpse of Monkey Island, so-called because it is where conservationists maintaining this veritable clutch of national and marine parks will confine monkeys misbehaving towards humans or nature. Back on solid ground and after lunch by the Telaga Air Waterfront, we headed back to the city, but not before making a detour to the jetty for a short boat ride to one of the state's oldest national parks, Bako. A night or two out in Bako will be de rigueur for nature-loving tourists but we were not planning on a night out of the city. So, yes, Kuching has eco-attractions for tourists in spades. Sarawak — with its plethora of natural wonders from national parks to giant caves to exotic wildlife — is in a good position to cash in on its eco-tourism potential.
Borneo Post
18-07-2025
- Borneo Post
STB's ecoGreenPlanet hits 62 pct of tree planting target at PNR Miri
(Holding banner, from second right) Dennis, Yii, and participants commemorate the programme with a group photo. MIRI (July 19): Over 6,000 trees have now been planted across Sarawak under the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) ecoGreenPlanet initiative. Following the planting of 2,500 seedlings at Piasau Nature Reserve (PNR) here, the initiative has reached 62 per cent of its target to plant 10,000 trees by 2027. Speaking at the tree planting event at PNR yesterday, STB chairman Dato Dennis Ngau said the effort reflects a deeper commitment to sustainability beyond mere rhetoric. 'Today is not only about planting trees. It is about planting hope, partnerships, and accountability. 'It is about showing the world that Sarawak doesn't just talk about sustainability – we act on it,' he said. He added that Piasau Nature Reserve, with its natural beauty and rich biodiversity, serves as a fitting location to reaffirm Sarawak's pledge to environmental responsibility. The ecoGreenPlanet initiative was launched in 2023 in collaboration with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), as part of the state's broader environmental goals under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. Previous planting activities were also carried out at Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary and Bukit Lima Nature Reserve, where the trees planted are estimated to offset more than 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 10 years. 'Every seedling represents our belief that tourism can, and must, be a force for good,' Dennis emphasised. This year's planting also forms part of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 sustainability programme, which includes initiatives such as a shuttle bus system to reduce emissions and solar-powered charging stations and lighting supported by Sarawak Energy Berhad. 'Through the Rainforest World Music Festival, we are leading by example and showing what sustainable tourism can look like in action,' he concluded. Also present was Miri Mayor Adam Yii. ecoGreenPlanet Piasau Nature Reserve Sarawak Tourism Board tree planting
Borneo Post
26-06-2025
- Borneo Post
RWMF 2025 draws more families, paves way for bigger celebrations ahead
Abdul Karim speaks to reporters during the press conference. – Photo by Agnes Tugong KUCHING (June 26): This year's Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), which just concluded, recorded 22,148 attendees, fewer than last year's 26,000, said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. However, he said the shift in audience demographics reflects a growing trend of family-based tourism and higher-spending visitors to Sarawak, noting that the festival remained a success despite the marginal drop in attendance. 'It might be fewer than last year, but what we're seeing is more families attending together, which is a good sign of bonding and inclusivity,' he told reporters after the Petronas Youth Football Closed Tournament press conference here today. Abdul Karim added that 2026 and 2027 would be milestone years for RWMF, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2027. 'We've already started planning with the CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board to make the next two editions even bigger in conjunction with the 30th celebration,' he said. He also acknowledged rising competition in the regional music scene, especially following the post-pandemic surge in concerts across Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Manila. 'Now, almost every month, you have big names performing in the region. 'Ticket prices are high, so people may choose to attend concerts elsewhere rather than travel to Kuching again,' he noted. To address this, Abdul Karim said the state government continues to support event organisers through seed funding to help lower ticket prices and make local events more accessible. 'That's why you go to RWMF, you just need to pay RM200 plus. 'Whereas if you go to a concert in Singapore, it would cost you probably RM1,000,' he said. On Sarawak's overall tourism performance, he said that while visitor arrivals from January to May this year were slightly lower compared to the same period in 2024, tourism receipts had increased significantly. 'If we look at January to May and also look at the number of visitors in Sarawak this year and last year, last year was slightly more. 'But tourism receipts, we have much more,' he said. He attributed the stronger earnings to an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, who tend to spend more during their stays. 'From January to May, we recorded over RM1 billion in tourism receipts every month, which reflects the increased spending power of international visitors,' he said. Abdul Karim emphasised that the value of tourism lies not just in the number of visitors, but also in the quality of experiences and the broader economic impact. 'That's why we have got sport events, we have got musical events, we have food and culture events, we have got 'What About Kuching' (WAK), which will cater for the youth. 'So when everyone is being looked after, there is something for everyone,' he said. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah Rainforest World Music Festival rwmf
