Ecotourism

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 preserve Brunei’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 trilateral 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, flying lizards, crested firebacks 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.