Birders looking for rare avian species during their birdwatching session.
Sabah’s Babagon Dam is not only a vital water source but also an important environment for migratory predatory birds.
Nature Society Singapore Bird Group chairman Tan Gim Cheong said there were at least five species of residential raptors around the dam located in Penampang some 25km from Kota Kinabalu.
He said the raptors played a critical role in balancing the ecosystem.
“I would like to urge Sabah Bird Watchers Association to work closely with (water concessionaire) Jetama Sdn Bhd in observing migratory raptors since this is a crucial man-made environment for the raptors,” he said.
Tan, who is an expert on raptor migration pattern, said this during an excursion at Babagon Dam, which is a major water source for the state’s west coast, including the state capital.
The excursion was part of “Sabah Raptor Workshop: Identification and Observation Skill” organised by Sabah Bird Watchers Association.
Participants taking a cruise at Babagon Dam.
A total of 35 participants took part in the field activity held in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Tourism Malaysia and Jetama.
Sabah Bird Watcher Association president Ron Pudin was surprised by the beauty of Babagon Dam, comparing the experience to the Kinabatangan River, renowned for river cruises, in the state’s east coast.
“We are always given a mental picture of how destructive a dam can be towards the environment but Babagon Dam shows us otherwise.
“Nature seems to recalibrate herself, and it has now become an important sanctuary for raptors,” he said.
He added that the group managed to spot a blue banded kingfisher, which was a specific indicator of healthy water quality.
Jetama general manager (environmental, social and governance) Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar said the company had always been committed to safeguarding the dam area.
He noted that Jetama, which operated and managed Babagon Dam, was actively engaged in green sustainable initiatives that were aligned with the state government’s Sabah Maju Jaya development plan.
“We would be happy to see more joint effort in future,” he said, referring to activities such as the birders’ workshop.
The workshop served as a platform for bird enthusiasts to have better understanding of raptors’ behaviour, especially those that pass through Sabah during the northern winter migration.
The collaborative effort highlighted a shared commitment to promote sustainable tourism and environmental preservation in Sabah.
