Bird watching can be a tourist draw

PERAK, with some 500 species of birds, is well placed to attract bird watching tourists. Ornithologist Lim Kim Chye said nature tourism, including bird watching and photography, was one of the fastest growing sector in the tourism industry. “In the United States, bird watching contributes millions to the economy. “Many bird watchers visit countries such as India, Taiwan and Thailand and contribute to the local economy in the way of accommodation, travel, food and guide fees.

“Malaysia has not woken up to the potential of bird watching as tourism although it is one of the top 12 megadiversity countries with some 700 species of bird,” he said in Ipoh recently. Lim said high bird diversity could be found in the lowland forest at Royal Belum Park, mangroves at Kuala Gula, montane forest in Bukit Larut and the wetlands at Kinta Nature Park. He said Royal Belum had all 10 species of hornbills, which were much sought after by foreign bird watchers while Kuala Gula was known for its shore birds flying in during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Lim said Bukit Larut had birds found only in the mountain and Kinta Nature Park, with its 150 species, was a good place for foreign bird watchers to start on local bird life. The Malaysian Nature Society (Perak Branch) recently organised a photography exhibition on bird life at Kinta Valley with the Kinta Heritage Group and the Perak government. Lim said the exhibition of 60 photographs was to show the eco-tourism potential of many bird-watching sites in the state.

The photographs were taken by bird-watcher Ooi Beng Yean, mainly in the Kinta Nature Park in Batu Gajah and the Kek Look Tong temple in Ipoh. “Many of the birds are found in freshwater ponds on ex-tin mining land, gardens and at the edge of secondary forests. “Birdwatching is a healthy hobby and you get to go outdoors to enjoy the fresh air,” said Ooi, 58. The exhibition, at the Garden Villa in Jalan Raja Nazrin Shah, is until Feb 28.
-thestar online.