Thursday, August 4, 2011

'Bukit Teraja can start promoting ecotourism in two years

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One of the 39 mapped waterfalls that can be found at the proposed Teraja Conservation Forest. Picture: Courtesy of Panaga Natural History Society
ECOTOURISM in the yet-to-be-gazetted Teraja Conservation Forest is planned to kick off in two years, provided that a dedicated and full-time project manager is appointed to oversee its progress and can facilitate dialogue between the government and the indigenous longhouse community.

"We think that is realistic, if the project manager is there to really steer and drive it," said Peter Engbers of the Panaga Natural History Society (PNHS).

The environmental non-government group proposed for the 27.11 square kilometre area in Belait district to be protected and allow scientific, educational and ecotourism activities to be carried out there. The government has recently approved the proposal.

Now the area is being gazetted, Engbers said, adding that this "might take a few years", involving several government agencies discussing issues such as land ownership rights in the area.

An action plan, the outcome of an "opportunity framing" workshop participated by stakeholders from the government and the private sector, anticipated that the gazette will be issued in August 2013, the same time which "Teraja ecotourism" was expected to be launched.

They expected to draft a business plan, which was required to secure initial funding for the project manager post, in November this year.

Engbers was speaking at a Heart of Borneo talk on the Teraja conservation initiative yesterday at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, which the Minister, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar attended.

The workshop participants were looking at "external sponsors" to fund the position, with an MoU planned to be drafted in March 2012. The appointment of the project manager is planned for July that year.

When asked whether the project manager had to be a government official, Engbers said, "not necessarily but can (be)".

"I think it should be a Bruneian who has good connections to the government and to the longhouse, and the local community. (Someone) who can be a bridge between the two," he said.

"He has to be dedicated, full-time, somebody who can manage it properly, steer it and build the bridge, and both (the) longhouse and government has confidence in trusting him."

In the meantime, other agencies such as the tourism authority will be training the local community in "green guiding" and homestay programmes, while also working with the natives in developing ecotourism products for the future Teraja Conservation Forest.

The area boast some 39 waterfalls, and is home to a host of plants and animals, some of which were unrecorded and unique to Brunei or the island.

Once appointed, the project manager will be responsible for leading the establishment of a masterplan for the area and the initial small-scale work such as setting up signages as well as establishing an operational organisation for guides, forest rangers and administration.

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