Malaysia to push Maliau basin on World Heritage list
2010-01-05 13:13:06
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian government is making efforts to push forward the Maliau basin in East Malaysia to be listed as a World Heritage Site.
A group of 31 government officials visited the basin recently, the third tour of such by officials over the last two years, the New Straits Times said on Tuesday.
The Maliau basin is a forest terrain 260 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of East Malaysia's state of Sabah, said the newspaper.
The saucer-shaped area spans 25 kilometers in diameter and is distinguished by its almost circular perimeter, according to the daily.
Last year, Sabah State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun proposed that the 588-square-kilometer forest terrain be listed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site.
Masidi had said the move would boost the Maliau basin's reputation as a research site among scientists around the world.
Currently, Malaysia has four places declared as World Heritage Sites, namely Mount Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Mulu National Park in Sarawak, George Town in Penang and Malacca.
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Maliau Basin (Sabah's Lost World)Tawau
The Maliau Basin is a place set on a sprawling 588.4 square kilometers land in Tawau, at the South Central Part of Sabah.
It contains an unusual assemblage of 12 forest types, comprising mainly of lower montane forest dominated by majestic Agathis trees, rare montane heath forest and lowland, and hill diperocarp forest. The highlight of the adventure is to trek the majestic 7 tiers Maliau Falls.
Keen visitors must, however, obtain a permission to enter the Maliau Basin in advance from Yayasan Sabah. Also bear in mind that Maliau Basin is a remote, atavistic and isolated area with limited access, communications and safety facilities.
Activities & Tariffs
Nature explorers will simply love the Maliau Basin as it is an excellent site for jungle trekking and bird watching. At night, visitors may also take a night drive for wildlife spotting. Water babies can also take a dip in the beautiful waterfall.
Trips to the Maliau Basin are best done in large groups. A 5-day, 4-night stay at Maliau Basin costs RM2730 nett for 2 pax adults (Malaysian) and RM3610 nett (non-Malaysian). For a group of 8 to 12 people, the rate for adults is RM1450 nett (Malaysian) and RM2270 (non-Malaysian).
The rates in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) are inclusive of meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), returned transfer (overland – Tawau to Agathis Camp), conservation and user fee (Campsites), rental of VHF radio, forest ranger cum radioman and guide.
Getting There
Maliau Basin Conservation Area is reachable by road either via Tawau or Keningau. The journey is on four wheel drive and depends so much on the weather as most of the journey is on logging roads to reach the Maliau Basin Security Gate.
Journey from both Tawau and Keningau to the Security Gate of Maliau Basin Conservation takes 5 hours; the distance from Tawau to Maliau Basin Conservation Security Gate is 190 kilometers.
Flying is another fabulous option should you have extra allocations for this luxury. There are several helipads available which can be used for emergency evacuations or by visitors who prefer to fly rather than walk.
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