| Danial Norjidi |
A BOOKLET on bird watching in Brunei Darussalam was officially launched yesterday during the first day of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016 at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
The booklet is called ‘Bird Watching in Brunei Darussalam 2016: A guide to the birds of Brunei Darussalam’, and was launched by Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.
The bird watching booklet is part of the continuous efforts of the Nature Unit at the Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) in collaboration with local industry stakeholders, namely the Brunei Birders Group, Sakam enterprise, Ulu-Ulu Resort and BIG Magazine with the support from the Wildlife Division, Forestry Department, Heart of Borneo Centre, MPRT and the Government Printing Department, Prime Minister’s Office.
As described in a MPRT press release, the bird watching booklet is a second edition, with an additional 191 bird species seen in Brunei Darussalam and catalogued by the Brunei Wildlife Photography Club and the Brunei Birders Group, spearheaded by Mohd Vol bin Haji Momin and verified by Dr Quentin Phillipps, a renowned author on bird watching in Borneo.
The first printing of the 92-page booklet will be made available for interested birders taking up the birding packages whilst a few thousand copies will be distributed to bird-watching societies and clubs within the region as part of the promotional strategy of the Tourism Development Department in creating awareness on Brunei Darussalam as a new birding destination in Southeast Asia.
Mohd Vol bin Haji Momin in a group photo with Brunei Birders Group members and senior officials from the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
In his keynote address during the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016’s first session yesterday, the minister spoke on the book, saying, “The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism is proud to launch the ‘Bird Watching in Brunei Darussalam 2016: a guide to the birds of Brunei Darussalam’ booklet, in its efforts to enhance Brunei Darussalam’s pristine nature tourism products focusing on bird watching, which has seen a gradual progression within the last three years within the country.
“The booklet is intended not only to serve as a general guide for ‘birders’ on bird species endemic to Brunei Darussalam, but also as a reference list to academics and the public alike whilst creating awareness on the importance of wild life conservation.”
The booklet’s launch was accompanied by the launch of bird watching tour packages by Sakam Enterprise, a local licensed tour operator focused on nature tourism.
The bird watching packages vary from half-day trips to two-day one-night trips into the Ulu Temburong National Park.
Also present to witness the launch ceremony were ministers, VIPs and delegates attending the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016.
There was also a mini bird photography exhibition displayed by the Brunei Wildlife Photographic Society.
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