KOTA KINABALU: Sabah tourism authorities are looking into bringing the rural community in its mission to become a leading international birdwatchers’ destination.

Collaborating with the Sabah Birdwatchers Association (SBWA), the state seeks to leverage the organisation’s expertise in identifying potential birdwatching sites across Sabah.

The role of the SBWA, which expressed willingness in assuming this role, would entail identifying prospective bird hiding places throughout the state.

State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai emphasized the economic potential of birdwatching for rural communities, particularly following Sabah’s participation in the Rutland Global Birdfair.

“Such an initiative is necessary to follow up on Sabah’s recent participation in the birdfair,” he said

Bangkuai, who is also the Sabah Tourism Board chairman, described the Rutland Birdfair in the United Kingdom last month as an eye-opener.

“It gave us valuable insights into how we can further develop birdwatching activities to benefit rural folks,” he said during a meeting with SBWA president Ron Pudin.

The meeting, also attended by Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Julinus Jimit, discussed initiatives to encourage rural communities to adopt niche birding activities.

Bangkuai recalled his meeting with Quentin Philipps, an author of a Borneo bird guidebook, who highlighted Sabah’s substantial potential.

“Philipps told me that Sabah only has five known bird hides when it should have hundreds,” he added.

As the assemblyman for Kiulu, some 50km from here, Bangkuai noted that certain areas within his constituency have significant potential for birdwatching activities.

“I have asked the Kiulu Tourism Association to collaborate with (SBWA) to discuss ways to build on the engagements from the Global Birdfair and transfer basic knowledge to the local communities,” he said.

Pudin said birdwatching could be a lucrative source of income and that rural communities can be empowered by providing them with training to understand its economic potential.

“By educating them about the benefits of birdwatching, we can help them recognise the opportunities it brings.

“This will not only foster a deeper appreciation for bird conservation but also provide a sustainable livelihood,” he said, noting the association was ready to provide basic bird guiding courses.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/02/sabah-eyes-birdwatching-boom-to-boost-rural-economy