http://article.wn.com/view/2008/10/22/Concern_over_logging_road_into_Bario_highland/
Published: Wednesday October 22, 2008 MYT 2:45:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday October 22, 2008 MYT 3:07:52 PM
Concern over logging road into Bario highland
By STEPHEN THEN
MIRI: The 300-km long mountain-logging road right to the top of the Bario highlands in northern Sarawak will permanently damage the ecology and weather systems in Sarawak's interior, warned environmental-watchdog group Borneo Resources Institute.
Institute coordinator for Sarawak, Raymond Abin, said this road might result in more highland forests being logged and this would spell the end of the pristine nature of Bario.
"We (his institute) are totally caught offguard by the news that this logging road has already been built all the way into the top of Bario highlands.
“The Bario highlands is a very ecologically-important region. The ecosystem and the weather system there is very fragile.
"From what I know, the road was constructed by a timber company, not by the Government. Does this mean that the timber firm has been given the right to harvest the timber in the forests where the logging road runs through? "Our institute is worried that the construction of this logging road is merely a front for the opening of the whole Bario highlands for timber extraction," he said on Wednesday. Ba'Kelalan state assemblyman Nelson Balang Rining has confirmed that the logging road had been constructed right into the heart of the 5,000 feet high Bario mountain range, connecting it all the way to Miri.
Balang said the road would open up the entire Bario highlands for socio-economic development and will herald in a new era of progress for more than 5,000 highlanders living in Bario.
"The construction of this logging road is a very important move to link the people of the highlands with the outside world. This logging road will enable the interior folks to travel all the way from Bario to Miri by land, something that was impossible before.
"This logging road is crucial because it will open up accessibility to settlements that were once only linked by flights. It will facilitate easier transport of fuel and food into the remote highland settlements," he said, adding that the journey from Miri to Bario via the logging road will take at least 13 hours.
The road from Miri will cut through Marudi, Long Banga, Padilih and up the slope of the Bario highlands to the Bario Airport.
The Bario highlands is similar in geographical settings to the Genting highlands. Populated by the Lun Bawangs and Kelabits minority ethnic groups, Bario is well-known for its fragrant rice and tourism spots. Balang on Wednesday said the logging road belonged to Samling Corporation, not the state or federal Government.
"The road will remain under the jurisdiction of Samling. However, it is the people's wish to see the road eventually upgraded into a Government-road. I hope the Government can adopt the road and tar-seal it in the near future," he said.
Balang said the construction of the Miri-Bario logging road did not infringe into any national park or forests reserve. Abin said his institute wanted the state government to disclose whether any logging concession had been given out in the Bario highlands and if any environmental impact assessment was done before the road was built.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Fast-growing malaria strain found in highlands
Tuesday August 5, 2008
Fast-growing malaria strain found in highlands
By STEPHEN THEN
MIRI: A strain of the malaria virus that multiplies rapidly has been discovered in Sarawak and the health authorities are very worried.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said teams of malaria experts from the State Health and Medical Services Department discovered this rapidly-spreading mosquito-borne disease when investigating the malaria outbreak in the Bario highlands deep in interior northern Sarawak.
"The outbreak in Bario was caused by a fast-growing strain that multiplies rapidly within 24 hours instead of the usual 48 hours or 72 hours.
"This is something that we (state health authorities) are very worried about. Because it spreads very fast, it can attack the body organs rapidly, even the brain," said Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak Disaster Relief Committee chairman.
Dr Chan said yesterday that this malaria strain was "not a normal thing in this state" and expressed worry that no one knew how many areas were infected by this strain.
"The health teams deployed in Bario are now collecting as much data as possible on the latest situation in the affected regions.
"We want to accurately identify those places infected by this fast-spreading strain," he said.
The Star last week highlighted the malaria outbreak in the Bario highlands after 21 Penans were floored by high fever and had to be flown out to hospitals in Miri and Marudi.
Initially, two Penan settlements – Urur Dalan and Semirian – were found to be infected. The outbreak then spread outside of Bario and hit Long Jikitan, a settlement located nearer to Miri.
Dr Chan said he was hopeful that the same drugs used to treat previous malaria cases could deal with this fast-spreading strain.
Fast-growing malaria strain found in highlands
By STEPHEN THEN
MIRI: A strain of the malaria virus that multiplies rapidly has been discovered in Sarawak and the health authorities are very worried.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said teams of malaria experts from the State Health and Medical Services Department discovered this rapidly-spreading mosquito-borne disease when investigating the malaria outbreak in the Bario highlands deep in interior northern Sarawak.
"The outbreak in Bario was caused by a fast-growing strain that multiplies rapidly within 24 hours instead of the usual 48 hours or 72 hours.
"This is something that we (state health authorities) are very worried about. Because it spreads very fast, it can attack the body organs rapidly, even the brain," said Dr Chan, who is also Sarawak Disaster Relief Committee chairman.
Dr Chan said yesterday that this malaria strain was "not a normal thing in this state" and expressed worry that no one knew how many areas were infected by this strain.
"The health teams deployed in Bario are now collecting as much data as possible on the latest situation in the affected regions.
"We want to accurately identify those places infected by this fast-spreading strain," he said.
The Star last week highlighted the malaria outbreak in the Bario highlands after 21 Penans were floored by high fever and had to be flown out to hospitals in Miri and Marudi.
Initially, two Penan settlements – Urur Dalan and Semirian – were found to be infected. The outbreak then spread outside of Bario and hit Long Jikitan, a settlement located nearer to Miri.
Dr Chan said he was hopeful that the same drugs used to treat previous malaria cases could deal with this fast-spreading strain.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
GEF: Sustainable development through a community-based micro-hydro for Bario Asal, Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak
http://sgp.beta.undp.org/web/projects/13031/sustainable_development_through_a_community_based_micro_hydro_for_bario_asal_kelabit_highlands_saraw.html
Sustainable Development Through A Community-Based Micro-Hydro For Bario Asal, Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak. (MAL/SGP/OP4/Y1/RAF/2008/FP-08(52)
Country: MALAYSIA
Grantee: Jawatankuasa Keselamatan dan Kemajuan Kampung Bario Asal Lembaa - JKKK Bario Asal Lembaa (Community Based Organization)
Focal Area: Climate Change
Op. Program: OP6 - Promoting the Adoption of Renewable Energy by Removing Barriers and Reducing Implementation Costs
Project Type: Full
Operational Phase: OP4 - Y1 (Jul 07-Jun08)
Dates: 10/2008 - 12/2009
Grant Amount: 50 000,00 USD
Project Status: Currently under execution
Project Types:
Project Details & Results
The Bario Asal Longhouse and adjoining Arur layun (Pa Bengar) village is home to the indigenous Kelabit community, located in the Bario Highlands Plateau who are mainly wet rice paddy farmers. This community-based micro-hydro project is aimed to address and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change (carbon emission) by replacing existing diesel-generated power with hydro-electric power, involving the local community in the all aspects of planning, building, management and maintenance of the micro-hydro system while building their capacity and awareness for the need to conserve their environment, sustainable use of biodiversity and protection of the watershed. The supply of renewable energy will also increase avenues for income generation as well as disposable income of the marginalized, impoverished local community through less dependence on the high cost for fossil fuel.
Sustainable Development Through A Community-Based Micro-Hydro For Bario Asal, Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak. (MAL/SGP/OP4/Y1/RAF/2008/FP-08(52)
Country: MALAYSIA
Grantee: Jawatankuasa Keselamatan dan Kemajuan Kampung Bario Asal Lembaa - JKKK Bario Asal Lembaa (Community Based Organization)
Focal Area: Climate Change
Op. Program: OP6 - Promoting the Adoption of Renewable Energy by Removing Barriers and Reducing Implementation Costs
Project Type: Full
Operational Phase: OP4 - Y1 (Jul 07-Jun08)
Dates: 10/2008 - 12/2009
Grant Amount: 50 000,00 USD
Project Status: Currently under execution
Project Types:
Project Details & Results
The Bario Asal Longhouse and adjoining Arur layun (Pa Bengar) village is home to the indigenous Kelabit community, located in the Bario Highlands Plateau who are mainly wet rice paddy farmers. This community-based micro-hydro project is aimed to address and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change (carbon emission) by replacing existing diesel-generated power with hydro-electric power, involving the local community in the all aspects of planning, building, management and maintenance of the micro-hydro system while building their capacity and awareness for the need to conserve their environment, sustainable use of biodiversity and protection of the watershed. The supply of renewable energy will also increase avenues for income generation as well as disposable income of the marginalized, impoverished local community through less dependence on the high cost for fossil fuel.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Sarawak revises rice production target to become self-sufficient under 9MP
NST Online / BERNAMA
2008/05/07
Sarawak revises rice production target to become self-sufficient under 9MP
KUCHING, WED:Concerned over the need to address food security, Sarawak is revising its rice production target to become 100 percent self-sufficient under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here today, the state's target was to achieve 70 percent self-sufficiency level to catch up with that of the Peninsular under the 9MP.
The state minister for modernisation of agriculture was replying to Vincent Goh Chung Siong (BN-Pelawan), Robert Lawson Chuat (BN-Bukit Saban), Abdul Rahman Junaidi (BN-Pantai Damai), Wahbi Junaidi (BN-Saribas).
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya), Joseph Mauh (BN-Tamin), Voon Lee Shan (DAP-Batu Lintang) and Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Kidurong) on the ministry's progress in increasing rice production in Sarawak.
Dr Chan said Sarawak — currently the nation's fourth largest rice producer, after Kedah, Perak and Kelantan — had achieved a self-sufficiency level of 53 per cent with total rice production of 124,544 metric tonnes (or equivalent to 207,573 metric tonnes of padi).
In line with the federal government's move to make Sarawak one of the major rice-producing areas, Dr Chan said 43,821 hectares in eight areas, including Limbang Valley, Paloh, Daro, Nanga Merit and Pulau Bruit, was identified as suitable for large-scale padi production.
The state government would embark on the development of the Sungai Sebelak area at Roban, involving 3,537 hectares, as the first granary to be implemented under the 9MP, he said.
He said the ministry would also start the rice estate in Tulai, Bintangor by the next season in September, by providing fertilisers and machinery, following the RM50 million federal grant announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Sunday for the state's emergency rice programme.
"It will take all our efforts...it is not going to be easy for the ministry as the local farmers have to change their mindset and accept a centralised management, practise efficient water control and use machinery to boost yields," added Dr Chan.
He said the state's target was to increase the existing padi yield of 2.8 metric tonnes to four per hectare annually, through the implementation of padi infrastructure improvement projects, besides promoting the use of high-yield varieties such as MR219, MR220 and MR232 or hybrid padi for double crop planting.
On the concern for sufficient rice supply and price increase, Dr Chan said, the government through Bernas, would ensure there was sufficient rice to meet the demand of customers while monitoring the stocks to prevent hoarding which could result in unreasonable price hikes.
"Currently, the state was 100 percent self-sufficient in the production of chicken, egg and pork as well as local fruits, vegetables and fish," he said.
However, he said, selected sub-tropical and temperate fruits and vegetables were imported to cater for the consumers' specific preference and choice while fish was imported for certain months of each year, ranging from 10,000-20,000 metric tonnes to supplement local supply.
2008/05/07
Sarawak revises rice production target to become self-sufficient under 9MP
KUCHING, WED:Concerned over the need to address food security, Sarawak is revising its rice production target to become 100 percent self-sufficient under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here today, the state's target was to achieve 70 percent self-sufficiency level to catch up with that of the Peninsular under the 9MP.
The state minister for modernisation of agriculture was replying to Vincent Goh Chung Siong (BN-Pelawan), Robert Lawson Chuat (BN-Bukit Saban), Abdul Rahman Junaidi (BN-Pantai Damai), Wahbi Junaidi (BN-Saribas).
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya), Joseph Mauh (BN-Tamin), Voon Lee Shan (DAP-Batu Lintang) and Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Kidurong) on the ministry's progress in increasing rice production in Sarawak.
Dr Chan said Sarawak — currently the nation's fourth largest rice producer, after Kedah, Perak and Kelantan — had achieved a self-sufficiency level of 53 per cent with total rice production of 124,544 metric tonnes (or equivalent to 207,573 metric tonnes of padi).
In line with the federal government's move to make Sarawak one of the major rice-producing areas, Dr Chan said 43,821 hectares in eight areas, including Limbang Valley, Paloh, Daro, Nanga Merit and Pulau Bruit, was identified as suitable for large-scale padi production.
The state government would embark on the development of the Sungai Sebelak area at Roban, involving 3,537 hectares, as the first granary to be implemented under the 9MP, he said.
He said the ministry would also start the rice estate in Tulai, Bintangor by the next season in September, by providing fertilisers and machinery, following the RM50 million federal grant announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Sunday for the state's emergency rice programme.
"It will take all our efforts...it is not going to be easy for the ministry as the local farmers have to change their mindset and accept a centralised management, practise efficient water control and use machinery to boost yields," added Dr Chan.
He said the state's target was to increase the existing padi yield of 2.8 metric tonnes to four per hectare annually, through the implementation of padi infrastructure improvement projects, besides promoting the use of high-yield varieties such as MR219, MR220 and MR232 or hybrid padi for double crop planting.
On the concern for sufficient rice supply and price increase, Dr Chan said, the government through Bernas, would ensure there was sufficient rice to meet the demand of customers while monitoring the stocks to prevent hoarding which could result in unreasonable price hikes.
"Currently, the state was 100 percent self-sufficient in the production of chicken, egg and pork as well as local fruits, vegetables and fish," he said.
However, he said, selected sub-tropical and temperate fruits and vegetables were imported to cater for the consumers' specific preference and choice while fish was imported for certain months of each year, ranging from 10,000-20,000 metric tonnes to supplement local supply.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Talk on how to preserve Kelabit highlands
http://www.easterntimes.com.my/index.php?news_id=1&news_content=6518
Talk on how to preserve Kelabit highlands
By Paula Chang
4/4/08
KUCHING: A talk entitled “The Living Landscape - Documenting and Preserving The Cultural Sites of The Kelabit Highlands”, jointly organized by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak, the Museum Department and the Sarawak Heritage Society, was presented by Sarah Hitchner at the Tun Abdul Razak Hall yesterday.
Sarah is in Sarawak for a reason. “I plan to become an applied anthropologist specializing in local, national, and international forest resource policy,” she said.
As stated in her published article for ‘Ecological and Environmental Ecology’, an open-access sholarly journal, she picked Kelabit Highlands for her research plainly because of its location which suited her interest in transboundary conservation as Pulong Tau National Park borders the Kayan Menterang National Park in Indonesian Kalimantan.
She shared with the public her research methods, the threats to the sites and suggestions to better preserve them.
With her grant money, she had purchased 7 GPS units for the villages there. Together with training and the GPS units, Sarah hoped that the Kelabit people would be able to continue to document their findings after she left.
She showed pictures of a Kelabit burial site which was destroyed by the vehicles from a logging company.
According to Sarah, “the villagers pleaded to these people to not to proceed but they (the drivers of the vehicles) proceeded anyway.”
Other threats to these sites included natural phenomena, archaeological excavations, local use of megalithic materials, local collection of cultural artifacts (such as beads), looting or vandalism by outsiders and development.
“Although the Kelabit people there want some development, they are afraid that it will be too commercialized.” She said.
“They have told me that they do not want Bario to be the next Mulu,” She added.
As for the villagers who had collected these artefacts, a lot of them said that they had to do it before these get destroyed, she told the audience.
Regarding the preservation of the sites, she said that sometimes the Kelabits were criticized for neglecting the sites. But she found out that they left the sites the way they were in order to preserve them.
The current efforts for protecting the sites include the International Timber Trade Organisation’s (ITTO) sponsored expansion of the Pulong Tau National Park and local initiatives taken by the villagers and guides. The local JKKKs have also resubmitted their proposals to the US Embassy to fence up these sites.
“I’m hoping to just get things started,” Sarah said, adding that much more work would need to be done to fully conserve the Kelabit highlands.
Johnny Lagang, a member of the Kelabit community, had intended to attend this talk but had missed it entirely due to other commitments. He told Eastern Times that he was interested in the talk as he believed that “Bario is getting worse because of logging.” He, however, managed to have Sarah’s email address so that he could keep himself updated on her findings.
As a doctoral student in the University of Georgia, USA, Sarah is currently attached to the Institute of East Asian Studies in Unimas. While in the village of Pa’ Lungan, she stayed with her adopted mother, Sinah Nabun, and adopted father, Nabun Aran. She was also given a beaded necklace by Sinah besides various Kelabit beaded bracelets.
Since the start of her research in the Kelabit highlands, she had submitted the following preliminary reports on her work to the Institute of East Asian Studies, UNIMAS and the Sarawak Museum - ‘The Role of Fruit Trees in Kelabit Agroforestry’, ‘The Living Kelabit Landscape’ and ‘Mapping The Living Landscape’.
Also present at the talk was Ipoi Datan, the assistant director of the Sarawak Museum Department who has been keeping abreast with her works.
Talk on how to preserve Kelabit highlands
By Paula Chang
4/4/08
KUCHING: A talk entitled “The Living Landscape - Documenting and Preserving The Cultural Sites of The Kelabit Highlands”, jointly organized by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak, the Museum Department and the Sarawak Heritage Society, was presented by Sarah Hitchner at the Tun Abdul Razak Hall yesterday.
Sarah is in Sarawak for a reason. “I plan to become an applied anthropologist specializing in local, national, and international forest resource policy,” she said.
As stated in her published article for ‘Ecological and Environmental Ecology’, an open-access sholarly journal, she picked Kelabit Highlands for her research plainly because of its location which suited her interest in transboundary conservation as Pulong Tau National Park borders the Kayan Menterang National Park in Indonesian Kalimantan.
She shared with the public her research methods, the threats to the sites and suggestions to better preserve them.
With her grant money, she had purchased 7 GPS units for the villages there. Together with training and the GPS units, Sarah hoped that the Kelabit people would be able to continue to document their findings after she left.
She showed pictures of a Kelabit burial site which was destroyed by the vehicles from a logging company.
According to Sarah, “the villagers pleaded to these people to not to proceed but they (the drivers of the vehicles) proceeded anyway.”
Other threats to these sites included natural phenomena, archaeological excavations, local use of megalithic materials, local collection of cultural artifacts (such as beads), looting or vandalism by outsiders and development.
“Although the Kelabit people there want some development, they are afraid that it will be too commercialized.” She said.
“They have told me that they do not want Bario to be the next Mulu,” She added.
As for the villagers who had collected these artefacts, a lot of them said that they had to do it before these get destroyed, she told the audience.
Regarding the preservation of the sites, she said that sometimes the Kelabits were criticized for neglecting the sites. But she found out that they left the sites the way they were in order to preserve them.
The current efforts for protecting the sites include the International Timber Trade Organisation’s (ITTO) sponsored expansion of the Pulong Tau National Park and local initiatives taken by the villagers and guides. The local JKKKs have also resubmitted their proposals to the US Embassy to fence up these sites.
“I’m hoping to just get things started,” Sarah said, adding that much more work would need to be done to fully conserve the Kelabit highlands.
Johnny Lagang, a member of the Kelabit community, had intended to attend this talk but had missed it entirely due to other commitments. He told Eastern Times that he was interested in the talk as he believed that “Bario is getting worse because of logging.” He, however, managed to have Sarah’s email address so that he could keep himself updated on her findings.
As a doctoral student in the University of Georgia, USA, Sarah is currently attached to the Institute of East Asian Studies in Unimas. While in the village of Pa’ Lungan, she stayed with her adopted mother, Sinah Nabun, and adopted father, Nabun Aran. She was also given a beaded necklace by Sinah besides various Kelabit beaded bracelets.
Since the start of her research in the Kelabit highlands, she had submitted the following preliminary reports on her work to the Institute of East Asian Studies, UNIMAS and the Sarawak Museum - ‘The Role of Fruit Trees in Kelabit Agroforestry’, ‘The Living Kelabit Landscape’ and ‘Mapping The Living Landscape’.
Also present at the talk was Ipoi Datan, the assistant director of the Sarawak Museum Department who has been keeping abreast with her works.
Need to mark cultural sites fast
The Borneo Post
4/4/08
Need to mark cultural sites fast
By Puvaneswary Devindran and Leyana Talif
KUCHING: There is a dire need to speed up efforts to mark the cultural sites in the Kelabit Highlands or they may get trampled upon unknowingly when development takes place in the area.
Researcher Sarah L Hitchner said several things need to happen to avert this, like getting the Global Positioning System (GPS) points of the cultural sites so that Forest Department Sarawak could insert them into maps.
According to her these maps will make sure that logging activities, for example, will not intrude into the demarcated areas.
"So there will be record of where the sites are on the map besides demarcations on the ground," she told reporters after giving a heritage talk entitled "The Living Kelabit Landscape- Documenting and Preserving The Cultural Sites of the Kelabit Highlands" at the state Museum here yesterday.
She could not say how many cultural sites in the highlands had been bulldozed as she had not visited these areas.
"I hear a lot of this (destruction) has happened to sites which I have not visited, so it's mostly hearsay…I can't confirm anything," said the researcher who has spent about two years learning about and living in the Kelabit Highlands.
Nonetheless, she pointed out that the Kelabit people knew the importance of marking the cultural sites there and had submitted proposals to get funding to do this.
She said the people there wanted the demarcations done but they needed money to buy the material and transport them there.
According to her, the Kelabits had even requested for assistance from the US Embassy and it went through a channel with other applicants for the other cultural preservation projects.
However, their request did not get through the first time probably because the proposal was not specific enough, she said, adding the proposal had been sent for the second time.
Hitchner said the people were also looking at different options on how to get the funding and these included the possibility of raising money within the Kelabit community itself.
On the marking efforts, Hitchner said International Timber Trade Organisation (ITTO) had done some considerable amount of work to mark the cultural sites there.
She said ITTO projects had been able to put up some yellow plaques and red paint and tape in some places which she deemed as 'a good start to many more'.
She said that cultural sites, many of which could be easily missed given the overgrown shrubs, should be fenced up and the areas within them cleared.
"Well, I think the process of documentation has started but there's still a lot more that needs to be done," she added.
Meanwhile, Hitchner passionately talked about the unique culture and history of the Kelabit people.
Her talk also covered the importance of the cultural sites in Pa' Lungan.
She touched on the theoretical framework of her research which touched on the historical ecology of anthropogenic landscape, political ecology of conservation and the participatory/emancipatory resarch methods.
The doctoral candidate from University of Georgia, USA also stressed that archaeological excavation, collection of cultural artefacts by locals, logging and also clearing of forest for agricultural purposes could pose grave threats to the sanctity of the cultural sites.
Some 50 people attended the heritage talk which was organised by State Museum Department together with Angkatan Zaman Mansang.
4/4/08
Need to mark cultural sites fast
By Puvaneswary Devindran and Leyana Talif
KUCHING: There is a dire need to speed up efforts to mark the cultural sites in the Kelabit Highlands or they may get trampled upon unknowingly when development takes place in the area.
Researcher Sarah L Hitchner said several things need to happen to avert this, like getting the Global Positioning System (GPS) points of the cultural sites so that Forest Department Sarawak could insert them into maps.
According to her these maps will make sure that logging activities, for example, will not intrude into the demarcated areas.
"So there will be record of where the sites are on the map besides demarcations on the ground," she told reporters after giving a heritage talk entitled "The Living Kelabit Landscape- Documenting and Preserving The Cultural Sites of the Kelabit Highlands" at the state Museum here yesterday.
She could not say how many cultural sites in the highlands had been bulldozed as she had not visited these areas.
"I hear a lot of this (destruction) has happened to sites which I have not visited, so it's mostly hearsay…I can't confirm anything," said the researcher who has spent about two years learning about and living in the Kelabit Highlands.
Nonetheless, she pointed out that the Kelabit people knew the importance of marking the cultural sites there and had submitted proposals to get funding to do this.
She said the people there wanted the demarcations done but they needed money to buy the material and transport them there.
According to her, the Kelabits had even requested for assistance from the US Embassy and it went through a channel with other applicants for the other cultural preservation projects.
However, their request did not get through the first time probably because the proposal was not specific enough, she said, adding the proposal had been sent for the second time.
Hitchner said the people were also looking at different options on how to get the funding and these included the possibility of raising money within the Kelabit community itself.
On the marking efforts, Hitchner said International Timber Trade Organisation (ITTO) had done some considerable amount of work to mark the cultural sites there.
She said ITTO projects had been able to put up some yellow plaques and red paint and tape in some places which she deemed as 'a good start to many more'.
She said that cultural sites, many of which could be easily missed given the overgrown shrubs, should be fenced up and the areas within them cleared.
"Well, I think the process of documentation has started but there's still a lot more that needs to be done," she added.
Meanwhile, Hitchner passionately talked about the unique culture and history of the Kelabit people.
Her talk also covered the importance of the cultural sites in Pa' Lungan.
She touched on the theoretical framework of her research which touched on the historical ecology of anthropogenic landscape, political ecology of conservation and the participatory/emancipatory resarch methods.
The doctoral candidate from University of Georgia, USA also stressed that archaeological excavation, collection of cultural artefacts by locals, logging and also clearing of forest for agricultural purposes could pose grave threats to the sanctity of the cultural sites.
Some 50 people attended the heritage talk which was organised by State Museum Department together with Angkatan Zaman Mansang.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
e-Bario: The Kelabit Gift to Malaysia
http://202.187.94.201/e-bario-the-kelabit-gift-to-malaysia-
e-Bario: The Kelabit Gift to Malaysia by Laura Lee
UNDP
Just picture this: rolling hills, fresh crisp air, the tranquil and serene environment greets and welcomes you the Kelabit Highlands of Bario. This indigenous community in Bario, Sarawak consists of warm and very friendly people. They lead simple lives of planting the famous fragrant Bario rice, hunt from the jungle for daily food or just trading in small business enterprise. Despite being so remote and cut off from nearby developed towns, the place produced some fine leaders in the country. Datuk Seri Idris Jala, the CEO of MAS hails from this Kelabit community of just over 5,000 people. Amongst others are many successful businessmen and women, academicians and high ranking government officials. Many who made it also returned to Bario to set up small business enterprises in hope of elevating their families out of poverty.
One such person is a local empowered women named Maszuin. Originating from Bario, she operates the local Mini Market called Y2K. The small business enterprise is likened to the "Megamall" to residents in Bario. Supplies from the more modern towns of Sarawak could usually be found at this quaint little shop although at somewhat higher prices due to the high costs of flying the merchandise into Bario.
Moving on to other members of the Bario community, there is a couple by the names of Lucy and David Labang. They operate a travel lodge longhouse in Bario. With internet connectivity via the e-Bario telecentre, the couple is able to communicate with tourists from all corners of the world wanting to make reservations to stay at their travel lodge. Guests staying at the Labang longhouse will be well taken care of with a good spread of local delicacies and warm Kelabit hospitality.
Adjourning from dinner, David will proceed to gather guests around a bonfire in their kitchen where some night entertainment entails. Skillfully playing a traditional instrument called 'sape' (boat lute), David will sometime play a duet with a younger member of the community. The lady members of his family might don their traditional headgear and take to the dance floor with the graceful movements of the hombill dance.
Bario, being so remote and cut off from the rest of the more developed areas in the surrounding region, do not even have proper roads. The more affluent members of the community will own 4WD vehicles to travel on the dirt tracks. The rest might just travel by motorcycles whilst some just walk to reach their target destinations. Electrification is supplied via solar power or generators. Despite being so remote and rural, ICT was able to bridge the digital divide when it arrived in Bario a few years ago. Connected via VSAT technology, e-Bario came into existence - the only telecentre in Bario and its surrounding region that provides connectivity to the world beyond the highlands of the Kelabits.
The benefits of ICT were tremendous especially in impacting and improving the livelihoods and economic conditions of the Bario people. From only 2 travel lodges, Bario now has 6 travel lodges. The fragrant high quality Bario rice is being marketed over the internet whilst family members were able to communicate with their loved ones outside of Bario - news that used to take weeks or months to arrive is now only a click of the mouse away.
e-Bario: The Kelabit Gift to Malaysia by Laura Lee
UNDP
Just picture this: rolling hills, fresh crisp air, the tranquil and serene environment greets and welcomes you the Kelabit Highlands of Bario. This indigenous community in Bario, Sarawak consists of warm and very friendly people. They lead simple lives of planting the famous fragrant Bario rice, hunt from the jungle for daily food or just trading in small business enterprise. Despite being so remote and cut off from nearby developed towns, the place produced some fine leaders in the country. Datuk Seri Idris Jala, the CEO of MAS hails from this Kelabit community of just over 5,000 people. Amongst others are many successful businessmen and women, academicians and high ranking government officials. Many who made it also returned to Bario to set up small business enterprises in hope of elevating their families out of poverty.
One such person is a local empowered women named Maszuin. Originating from Bario, she operates the local Mini Market called Y2K. The small business enterprise is likened to the "Megamall" to residents in Bario. Supplies from the more modern towns of Sarawak could usually be found at this quaint little shop although at somewhat higher prices due to the high costs of flying the merchandise into Bario.
Moving on to other members of the Bario community, there is a couple by the names of Lucy and David Labang. They operate a travel lodge longhouse in Bario. With internet connectivity via the e-Bario telecentre, the couple is able to communicate with tourists from all corners of the world wanting to make reservations to stay at their travel lodge. Guests staying at the Labang longhouse will be well taken care of with a good spread of local delicacies and warm Kelabit hospitality.
Adjourning from dinner, David will proceed to gather guests around a bonfire in their kitchen where some night entertainment entails. Skillfully playing a traditional instrument called 'sape' (boat lute), David will sometime play a duet with a younger member of the community. The lady members of his family might don their traditional headgear and take to the dance floor with the graceful movements of the hombill dance.
Bario, being so remote and cut off from the rest of the more developed areas in the surrounding region, do not even have proper roads. The more affluent members of the community will own 4WD vehicles to travel on the dirt tracks. The rest might just travel by motorcycles whilst some just walk to reach their target destinations. Electrification is supplied via solar power or generators. Despite being so remote and rural, ICT was able to bridge the digital divide when it arrived in Bario a few years ago. Connected via VSAT technology, e-Bario came into existence - the only telecentre in Bario and its surrounding region that provides connectivity to the world beyond the highlands of the Kelabits.
The benefits of ICT were tremendous especially in impacting and improving the livelihoods and economic conditions of the Bario people. From only 2 travel lodges, Bario now has 6 travel lodges. The fragrant high quality Bario rice is being marketed over the internet whilst family members were able to communicate with their loved ones outside of Bario - news that used to take weeks or months to arrive is now only a click of the mouse away.
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