Sukau Primary School Students celebrated World Environmental Day with BEST Society

World Environmental Day is held every year on the 5th June. It is one of the principle vehicles through which the United Nations (UN) stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances the attention of “Green Tourism”. This year’s theme highlighted the relationship between quality of life and the health of forest with their ecosystem, with the theme “Forest: Nature at Your Services”.

India is the host this year where the prime celebration was held in New Delhi. Nonetheless awareness campaign was also held in interior of Sabah, namely Sukau Village, Kinabatangan River. Thumbs up to 20 future leaders of Sukau primary school in Kinabatangan River for they will play an important role in inheriting and educating their families and peers in waste management and execute the REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE concept in their livelihood to sustain the ecosystem of Kinabatangan River for future generation.

Ms.Anzella from EAC demonstrating steps on waste food composting.

Students having fun learning conservation.

A cheerful group photo of participants

Following the success of forest regeneration program, both Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL) and Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies (BEST Society)  continue its tradition with their ongoing tree planting projects. On 18th June 2011, BEST Society has taken the lead to initiate and joint forced with Environmental Action committee Kinabatangan (EAC Kinabatangan), an agency endorsed by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environmental in organizing  half day “Tree Planting and Environmental Education Program” involving these students and 3 teachers of Sukau primary school.

This group of students was enticed by a half day beneficial program from an interactive “biodegradable waste food management” on composting activities at SRL sundeck, to river cleaning along Kinabatangan River, and tree planting at Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Rehabilitation  (KWICORP) tree planting site.Throughout the program, the children were accompanied by Tuan Hamra Haji Liwangsa the President of EAC Kinabatangan zone and guided by our SRL Lodge Manager together with SRL staffs. To support this auspicious mission, EAC Kinabatangan has contributed 100 seedlings and soil to BEST Society for its virtuous effort.

In his speech Tuan Hamra express that more of such program can be organized in initiating a joint responsibility between the government and the local community. He said “This is very warmth and personalize program, EAC will always support such environmental activities initiated by local NGO that can contribute towards enhancing environmental quality.”The half day program ends with an educational jungle interpretation at SRL Hornbill Boardwalk and some brain twisting quizzes with prizes for the students.

From composting, to river cleaning, planting their own tree and a well interpreted nature walk on the Hornbill Boardwalk, the students were awarded a personalized certificate of participation for their proactive involvement in this program. With such educational activities, it is hope that these potential young leaders of Kinabatangan can inspire others in their community to take responsibility. Even small initiatives by them could literally create a significant impact to the sustainability of the world.

  Winning is sharing. That was Sukau Rainforest Lodge (SRL)'s immediate response when it was voted as Asia's Leading Green Hotel in the 17th World Travel Awards in October 2010. On 26th November 2010, SRL Founder and Managing Director, Albert Teo and his award winning team organized an appreciation cocktail reception at the Magellan Sutera, Kota Kinabalu for 128 tourism industry partners from private sectors, government and the ministry of tourism for a joint celebration of the Lodge's achievement, and to mark Borneo Eco Tours' 20th Year of Service Excellence.

The auspicious occaion was graced by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, the Honourable Datuk Masidi Manjun who emphasized the significance of winning this award - a remarkable compliment for the tourism industry in Sabah and Malaysia. SRL was also featured in Authentic Ecolodges Book earlier this year, earning the recognition as one of the top 36 ecolodges in the world by ecotourism advocate, Hitesh Mehta.

In his speech, Albert Teo thanked the NGOs who work in the Kinabatangan area, including WWF Malaysia, the Wildlife Department, the scientists who did much research, provided the knowledge and created much awareness on the uniqueness of this area.

"Tonight, I wish to acknowledge the contribution of all these organizations as we celebrate our achievements and the support of the scientists. By naming some of our rooms in Sukau Rainforest Lodge after some of thm as a way of recognising them, we hope that their contributions will be remembered", Albert said.

The success of SRL is alos attributed to the Lodge's consistent practice of triple bottom line business model (which is economic, social and environmental sustainability). Since opening in 1995, the SRL introduced Green Policy in its operations to ensure the sustainability of the fragile environment that it operates in.

The use of silent electric motors during our daily river cruises, promoting environmental friendly features such as the Elephant Passes at Hornbill Boardwalk and recently the utilization of the Sukau River mugs to minimize usage of plastic bottles are among our policies which remain as our unique selling points.

SRL is alos actively engaged in conservation and community projects in the Kinabatangan area, dating back to 1995, mainly through its own in-house non-profit organisation Borneo Ecotourism Solutions & Technologies Society (BEST Society) (formerly known as SERDC) and WWF Malaysia.

The ongoing tree planting project at the 65-acre Tenegang Kecil site, Kinabatangan Wildlife Corridor Regeneration programme (KWICORP) was launched in 2000 to rehabilitate the degraded riverine forest. SRL together with Borneo Eco Tours contribute RM50,000.00 a year to BEST Society for its projects.

In 2010 guests of BET also started to make contribution through Voluntary Conservation Fee (VCL) and the amount of contribution for the year increased to RM81,530.00 for the first ten months of 2010, where a subsequent mock checque handover to BEST Society was highlighted in the cocktail reception program.

SRL's achievement is also timely with the completion of the extensive room face-lifting since early 2010. Rooms upgrade and new facilities such as conference hall, rooms and toilet for the disabled, handicraft centre and lounge are the new surprises installed for our valued clients. In spite of expansion and upgrade, the eco and safety aspects were taken into careful consideration.

Towards this initiative, the new rooms feature louver windows, cross air ventilation and K-Block wall which is termite proof, fire retardant and pro-sound insulation, complemented by an increase in room size 270 square feet, mainly by the addition of a sun room which affords guests their own provate view of the rainforest.