BBYB 2021

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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2021

Brunei Darussalam is well known for its lush

and pristine tropical rainforest. The Government

of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah

Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum

Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi

Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei

Darussalam has taken the steps and initiatives to

preserveBrunei’s cherished jungles to avoid activities

that might compromise its rich natural resources

such as deforestation and habitat loss. By taking care

of its greenery, the country has turned itself into one

of Southeast Asia’s top ecotourism spots.

The majority of the pristine rainforest – at 70 per

cent – is preserved as the Ulu Temburong National

Park situated in the Temburong District, while 58

per cent is under legal protection. This was made

possible through the Heart of Borneo initiative, a tri-

lateral agreement signed by Brunei, Malaysia and

Indonesia to protect the lush ecosystem against

any acts of devastation against the rainforests.

Ulu Temburong National Park is known to host an

unimaginable range of diversity and is home to

some of the world’s rarest species. Exotic animals

reside in the vast expense of the park including

long-nosed horned frogs, proboscis monkeys, ying

lizards, crested rebacks and rhinoceros hornbills.

In November 2019, the ‘Explore Labi’ project was

launched to establish Mukim Labi as a sustainable

eco-tourism spot and wildlife sanctuary. With

an area of about 47,784 hectares, Mukim Labi

is ideal for educational outings and adventures

including summer camping, extra-curricular and

team-building activities, as well as getaways

and outward-bound programmes. There are

also trails for trekking towards two popular

waterfalls, Wasai Wong Kadir and Wasai Teraja.

Mukim Labi is home to over 300 species of

wildlife that are native to Borneo, 81 frog species,

more than 10 species of snakes and reptiles, as

well as over 150 species of forest birds.

ECOTOURISM