Bangkuai (right) sharing about the birds endemic to the state during the launch of the Sabah Birding Routes at the Global Bird Fair in Rutland, UK.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's ambition to become a premier birdwatching destination received a boost after a compelling presentation at the Global Bird Fair in the United Kingdom.
More than 100 birding and wildlife travel experts and enthusiasts from around the world listened attentively as Sabah unveiled the Sabah Birding Routes on Saturday (July 13).
The event was held in Rutland, famous for its historic market towns and picturesque villages.
The guide map, launched by Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, was the focal point of Sabah's birding destination promotion.
"We aim to put Sabah on the global birdwatching map, and we are excited about the strong interest in Sabah's birding destination promotion at the Global Bird Fair," he said in a statement on Sunday (July 14).
"This event showcased Sabah's birding potential and connected us with the global community.
"We are eager to welcome more birding enthusiasts to explore Sabah's natural beauty," added Bangkuai, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB).
Also present were STB chief executive officer Julinus Jimit, Sabah Birdwatchers Association president Ron Pudin, and representatives from key birding associations from other countries, including the World Pheasant Association.
The Sabah Birding Routes outline the best birdwatching locations in Sabah, including Mount Kinabalu, which Bangkuai described as "a VIP lounge for our avian celebrities" due to its role as a key distribution centre for Borneo's montane birds.
Ron Pudin.
Dressed in his best birding attire, Bangkuai explained to attendees that with 688 bird species, including 66 endemic to Borneo and six unique to Sabah, the guide aims to enhance the birdwatching experience and allow enthusiasts to explore Sabah's rich avian diversity with ease.
The STB prepared the Sabah birding guide map with inputs from the Sabah Birdwatchers Association.
Acknowledging the invaluable contributions of the Sabah Birdwatchers Association, Bangkuai said Pudin has been instrumental in promoting Sabah's feathered friends.
"Ron's passion and dedication have been crucial in putting Sabah's birding treasures on the map.
"I am sure his work will continue to inspire both locals and visitors to appreciate and protect our natural heritage," he said.
Meanwhile, Pudin said the opportunity to produce the birding route map has opened the door to working with the World Pheasant Association to share technical and expertise knowledge, particularly on one of the rarest pheasants in the world, the Bornean Peacock Pheasant.
"It's high time that we work together to establish long-term plans for sustainable habitats for this species.
"This is a successful trip indeed to one of the biggest bird fairs in the world," he said.
Pudin also expressed gratitude to Bangkuai and Jimit, giving the thumbs up for their proactive efforts in birding tourism and their ability to integrate it with community-based tourism, which has put Sabah on the world birding map.
