We subscribe to the environmental codes of responsible tourism under Green Globe program of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and PATA's Green Leaf program. To help you get the most out of your short stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, please read the information below.

1. Electricity and Lighting
   1. Our Lodge does not have government electricity supply until 2008. Due to the high cost of solar technology and high cost of maintenance, we use a combination of generators and power grid for our power requirement.
   2. At night lighting is supplemented by the use of kerosene oil lamps in the garden and along the corridors, recycled cooking oil lamps in the restaurant and lounge area to provide a cosy ambience.
   3. We encourage our guests to switch off the lights and especially the ceiling fan when not in the room.
2. Water usage
   1. Our Lodge is also 100% self-sufficient on water. Rainwater is harvested, filtered and chlorinated for kitchen and guest use.
   2. Hot water is supplied by 2 units of 78.69 gallons of Crystal solar heating systems.
   3. Please help to conserve water especially to minimise flushing of toilets and turning off the taps when brushing, shampooing or soaping.
   4. All towels and linens laundry are sent to Sandakan for cleaning. Unless requested, we do not replace towels and linens unless requested by guests.
3. Disposal System
   1. Our Lodge is equipped with septic tanks and nothing is discharged into the river. Organic materials are composted while non biodegradable materials are separated and returned to Sukau for disposal and recycling.
   2. Please help us to dispose these into the bins labeled cans, bottles and plastic located at the open deck.
   
4. Noise
   1. Much thought has gone into minimising noise level at the Lodge and on river cruises in order for guests to experience nature's symphony in the rainforest. This is why we adopt an open concept at the lounge area and restaurant. For this reason we do not encourage the use of television and radio.
   2. Our generator has noise reduction acoustic insulation. This is used to charge our batteries for use of electric powered engines for river cruise.
   3. Our boats are equipped with electric motors which are used when we move among wildlife sensitive areas to minimise noise and air pollution and to provide additional comfort to the passengers.
   4. Please minimise noise level in your rooms after 9.00pm to avoid inconveniencing other guests.
5. Safety and Cleanliness
   1. When you leave your room, drop the key at the pigeon hole provided in the lobby. Always lock up your valuables and cash or hand it to the Lodge Manager for safe keeping as we will not be responsible for loss of valuables. For added security, CCTVs are also installed at strategic locations around the lodge.
   2. For your own safety, wear a life jacket at all times when on your river cruises. All speedboats plying Sandakan - Selingan/Sukau are also installed with CB radios while guides are equipped with walkie talkies on the Sukau river cruises.
   3. Smoking and burning of candles or any materials are prohibited inside your room. Charging of commercial/TV batteries is also prohibited in your room. Fire extinguishers are located along the verandahs outside your rooms.
   4. Do not eat foods, sweets and beverage drinks in your room as this will attract insects.
6. Design and Construction
   1. The Lodge is built 100ft away from the river bank (except for Melapi Jetty) and outside the riverine reserve to prevent stormwater soil erosion. Native vegetation is left intact to provide natural shading and to minimise impact of noise on the surrounding as well as to provide privacy to the resident guests.
   2. The Lodge is built on stilts 5ft above ground to minimise impact of annual flooding of the Kinabatangan River and prevent ground insects, animals and reptiles from unwelcome intrusion into the rooms. Hornbill boardwalk is built on stilt and covered for added protection from falling rotting branches with two elephant passes (unique to SRL) provided along the boardwalk to allow for migration of Borneo Pygmy elephants through the property.
   3. An open concept is adopted for the lounge area and Melapi restaurant to allow for unimpeded air circulation and ventilation and thus minimise the use of fans.
   4. The Lodge is built with local hardwood species including Belian (Borneo ironwood) for stilts and pillars, Belian, Merbau and Selangan Batu for open deck and balcony, Nyatoh for room furniture and fixtures among others.
7. Local community participation
   1. Where possible we try to provide employment opportunities for the local community. The wooden boats, jetty, plankwalks, open deck, wall paneling, wooden benches and deck tables/chairs are all testimony of their capabilities.
   2. 80% of our staff are locals. As most of the local staff could not speak English when they joined us we have instituted training and brought overseas tourism student interns to help them understand the cultures and needs of the tourists, to develop communication skill and speak English. A few staff have been sent for nature guide training. We hope we have trained them to run the Lodge to your expectation and also maximised their natural ability as wildlife spotters for the river cruises and jungle walks. The management also encourages ongoing personal development including book reading and mentoring program to provide leadership training for local staff.
   3. Your patience and encouragement for any shortcomings will go a long way in helping them to overcome their shyness, language and cultural barriers.
8. Community and Environment projects
   1. Since 2000 our non profit division, Sukau Ecotourism Research and Development Centre SERDC (now renamed Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies Berhad or BEST) have organized many projects including supply of over 50 water tanks to local families, medical outreach and the ongoing wildlife corridor rehabilitation project. SRL set aside USD1 and BET also donates RM8.00 for every international guest (totaling RM50,000.00 anually) who stays at the lodge in addition to donations from guests. Details of the donations and projects are available from the Lodge Manager or on our website www.sukau.com or www.bestsociety.org
9. Education and Interpretation
   1. An information gallery has been set up to provide for education for inhouse guests while our inhouse naturalist guide provides additional interpretation of the rainforest around the Hornbill Boardwalk. Self guided booklet is also available in the room. A handbook on Kinabatangan Floodplain is also made available in the room. A separate folder on Conservation Fellows of personalities who have contributed to the conservation projects of Kinabatangan region is also available in the room. More information is available in our publication "Saving Paradise - The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge".

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND CO-OPERATION!"

ALBERT C.K.TEO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
BORNEO ECO TOURS / SUKAU RAINFOREST LODGE
Updated on 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006,2007,2008,2009