With the final conversion of large tracts
of lowland forests of the
Lower Kinabatangan
throughout the 1980s into permanent agricultural crops, many local people were
forced to poach timber and other forest products to eke out an existence. The MESCOT Initiative was started in 1996 by
a group of about 30 visionary and dedicated individuals from the different
villages of Batu Puteh to create an alternative source of income-generation for
the people of the area, while simultaneously
protecting the last remaining vestiges of rainforest and traditional
indigenous cultural heritage. We chose,
as our core activity, Eco-Tourism. It was hoped that this activity would be the
key to raising income in this poor and remote rural community, increase the
economic value of a depleted forest resource, and, in the process, raise funds
to support the protection and restoration of the last remaining wetland forests
and wildlife of the area. MESCOT’s scope
was broadened in 1998 when drought induced forest fires ravaged parts of the
remaining natural forests surrounding the village. The MESCOT group voluntarily
engaged in fighting these fires and in the aftermath decided it was critical to
rehabilitate the degraded wetland forests and wildlife habitats and corridors.
At the time, these steps were ground-breaking as previously little was known
about the complex floodplain forest tapestry and the different rainforest types
of the area. With the support of kind global citizens the forest restoration
work has since developed to be a core activity of MESCOT driving the future of
the village-run co-operative set up to manage these activities. So far we have
set up:
The Batu Puteh Community Eco-Tourism
Cooperative (KOPEL Bhd.) which combines the village ecotourism associations such as:
The Miso Walai Homestay Program
The Wayon Tokou Nature Guide Association
The Mayo do Talud Boat Service
Tulun Tokou Handicrafts
The MESCOT Culture Group
Alongside the Conservation Interventions
of:
The Wetland Forest Rehabilitation, and
Wetland Lake Rehabilitation activities.
The Lower Kinabatangan fascinating part of Borneo and Asia,
the massive Kinabatangan River flows
swiftly for 560km out of the rugged
mountainous interior of the Island to the north-east coast in the Malaysian
State of Sabah. Most of its upper reaches are steaming uninhabited jungles. The
Lower Kinabatangan slows immensely to meander through an endless
floodplain. Constantly inundated this
area today forms the agricultural heartland of Sabah. What remains of the native rainforests along
the floodplain is both unique and amazing, for its geography, rainforest
biodiversity, and the astounding array of wildlife species still able to
survival in the ever changing landscape. Take a walk through out website, or
better still come at visit us, to learn about Borneo’s tropical rainforests,
our diverse cultures, and help us save this remarkable part of our planet....
Miso Walai Homestay
program has been operating since the year 2000 and offers an award winning and
organised community-based cultural tourism experience in the Lower
Kinabatangan, Sabah. With more than 3
language groups and over 20 dialects the local indigenous “Orang Sungai” have a
unique and diverse story to tell of their past and changing future alongside
the Kinabatangan River. There are more
than 35 family households participating in the Miso Walai Homestay. Each
village home is unique. Some homes are large and modern by rural village
standards, other homes are rustic and traditional. All homes today have
internal bathrooms and separate rooms for guests. Traditional local food is
provided, household activities such as learning to cook, village sports and
farm activities are part of the experience, as are wildlife encounters in the
surrounding forests. We specialise in cultural programs for students, families,
groups, and volunteers. We ask visitors to respect our code of cultural conduct
to help us preserve our culture and continue to offer authentic insight into
our way of life into the future (see responsible tourism link below). * For more information or to arrange a stay
contact KOPEL Office * For information regarding rat
