Bird watching can be niche market in Sabah tourism industry

Bornean Brown Barbet is one of the 69 endemic species in Sabah. There are 678 bird species in Borneo island with 90per cent of them found in Sabah. NSTP/ courtesy of NOOR HIRZAN ABDILLAH MOHD MOMIN

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah can offer great birding experience as a tourism product.

Licensed tour guide Noor Hirzan Abdillah Mohd Momin, who has 11 years of experience in the field, said 90 per cent of 678 bird species in Borneo can be found in Sabah.

"There are 69 endemic species such as the Bornean bristlehead, whitehead's broadbill, black and crimson pitta among others.

"These birds are endemic and can only be found in Borneo.

"Birders can carry out photography from the lowland up to highland areas in the state," said the 36-year-old from Sandakan.

The bird enthusiast said 10 locations had been identified as places for bird watching.

Among them are Kinabalu Park in Ranau; Crocker Range and Trus Madi at Apin-Apin Keningau; Deramakot Forest Reserve, Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre and Kinabatangan in Sandakan; Danum Valley and Tabin Forest Reserve in Lahad Datu; Maliau Basin in Tongod; as well as Tawau Hills Park in Tawau.

Noor Hirzan, who has also participated in Sabah Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry programmes to find "bird trails", said bird watching is a niche market in the tourism industry even among locals.

Although locals usually explore places on their own instead of booking trips through tour companies, he said such activities would still serve to help generate the local economy, especially in rural areas.

"Bird watching is still relevant, as long as the people follow the Standard Operating Procedures fixed by the National Security Council. I have even received several inquiries from foreign tourists for weeks-long packages."

Noor Hirzan, however, reminded foreign tourists to postpone their plans amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also thanked the federal and state governments, especially the Sabah Tourism Board, for buying tourism-related photographs from tour guides to help sustain their livelihood during trying times.

-nst online.