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Sandakan Rainforest Park

The development of the park began when the National Landscape Department approved an allocation of RM2 million in response to the request by the Sandakan Municipal Council for this purpose during the Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001-2005). After the forest was gazetted as Kebun Cina Amenity Forest (Class IV) Reserve in January 2007, it was handed over to the Sabah Forestry Department, which has secured an allocation of RM 3 million from the Federal Ministry of Tourism for the development of the park during the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010). The present phase of this development project began in late 2006, and is scheduled to be completed in 2009. At present, the Sabah Forestry Department takes the lead in the management of the park, with support by the Sandakan Municipal Council.

The park has been promoted as an icon of Sandakan, the Nature City, with emphasis on the following attractive features: • Biodiversity conservation The forest is the home to a high diversity of plants and

animals including many rare and endemic species.

• Botanical science The forest is a very important site for research on plant

diversity in Borneo because some of the earliest botanical explorations in Borneo were carried out here. It is the collection locality of about 115 type specimens.

By Y.F. Lee & Alviana Damit

• History The name “Kebun Cina (meaning Chinese Farm or

Orchard) Forest Reserve” has its origin in the early suburban settlement known as “Kebun Cina” which was established immediately after the founding of Sandakan by William B Pryer on June 21st, 1879. Historical Kebun Cina played an important role in the development of Sandakan. In the Kebun Cina Gallery, important events in this Chinese settlement dominated by the Hakka community are displayed.

• Outdoor recreation Facilities such as the jogging track and children playground

are provided in the park for promoting healthy lifestyle. Nature trails have been established to provide access to the undisturbed core area of the park for adventurous nature lovers.

• Nature Education Kebun Cina Gallery is the exhibition centre where visitors

can learn about nature. The exhibition covers many aspects of nature exemplifi ed by Kebun Cina such as pitcher plants, insects, fern and dipterocarps. Furthermore, many trees and shrubs along trails have been labelled for visitors to learn more about them.

Sandakan Rainforest Park (SRFP) covers an area of 148.6 hectares.

220

Special Features

Proposed MasterplanA masterplan for ecotourism development in Sandakan Rainforest Park has been prepared. The main theme of the masterplan is “Living with nature in the context of Sabahan culture”. The sub-themes include knowledge, cultural, jungle play, health, jungle, etc, each of which consists of facilities and/or activities, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The layout of the planned facilities is as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 1: Strategic Tourism Image Plan showing the components of the masterplan for development of Sandakan Rainforest Park

Figure 2: Facilities to be provided under the sub-themes

Living With Nature&

Sabahan CultureTHEME

SUB-THEME

Jungle Play

Knowledge

Cultural

Water Park

Shopping

Health

Research

Dining

Sandakan Rainforest Park

Marketing

1. Local Residents, Sabahans & Malaysians 2. Foreign Tourists

Traffi c Lines

Main Asphalt Road

Nature Trail

Jungle Trail

Lake Trail

Topotype Trail

Strategic Tourism Image Plan

Tarzan world, children play world, forest paintball game yard,archery yard.Tarzan world, children play world, forest paintball game yard,archery yard.

SUB-THEME

Health

Shopping

Food

Water Park

Research

Cultural

Knowledge

Jungle Play

Jungle survival training centre, various gardens along nature trail, forest interpretation stations along nature trail and jungle trail, topotype trail, wetland garden and exhibition of forest products adjacent to handicraft village

Handicraft village, bajau horseman as a guard, cultural show at main entrance plaza and restaurant, traditional costumes for the staff in the park, “Sunday Tamu” at main entrance plaza which local ethnic wear traditional costumes sell local product

Forest research station

Water park, boating and fi shing

Restaurant, cafe, food and beverage shops

Shops at the main entrance plaza and commercial kiosk

Health rehabilitation centre

Jungle survival training centre, various gardens along nature trail, forest interpretation stations along nature trail and jungle trail, topotype trail, wetland garden and exhibition of forest products adjacent to handicraft village

Handicraft village, bajau horseman as a guard, cultural show at main entrance plaza and restaurant, traditional costumes for the staff in the park, “Sunday Tamu” at main entrance plaza which local ethnic wear traditional costumes sell local product

Water park, boating and fi shing

Restaurant, cafe, food and beverage shops

Shops at the main entrance plaza and commercial kiosk

Health rehabilitation centre

Forest research station

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Figure 3: Masterplan

Sandakan Rainforest Park

222

Special Features

The development according to the masterplan will be implemented in three phases as follows.

Phase Period Budget Components

1. Short term 2008 – 2010 RM 2.5 million • Main entrance plaza• Nature trail• Observation tower• Tarzan world

• Children play world• Fencing• Canopy walkway• Shops

2. Medium term

2010 – 2014 RM 17.8 million • Decorative fencing• Service road• Electric car terminal• Electric cars• Shops• Restaurant• Car park• Lamp post• Handicraft village• Kebun Cina Resort• Archery yard• Forest paintball yard• Jungle survival training centre• Nature trail entrance plaza• Wetland garden• Jetty

• Water park• Boat• Second observation tower• Jungle trail entrance plaza• Jungle trail• Fishing corner• Forest interpretation stations• Security guard house• Commercial kiosks• Toilets• Sign boards• Plant name labels• Lake trail & jogging tracks• Lake trail entrance plaza• Theme gardens• Second entrance plaza• Second entrance car park

3. Long term 2015 – 2020 RM 8 million • New asphalt road• Fencing around the boundary• Third entrance plaza• Third entrance car park

• Forest research stations• Health rehabilitation centre• Forest interpretations stations• Upgrading phase one and two facilities

The main entrance plaza is the most important facility of the park because it is the point of convergence of visitors. The perspective plan of the entrance plaza is given in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Main entrance plaza: perspective plan

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Interesting Plants

An ant about to be captured by a pitcher plant (Nepenthes rafflesiana)

Karamunting (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) flower. The place “Karamunting” in Sandakan is named after this shrub.

A living topotype of Pandanus sandakanensis can be found along the nature trail.

Melastoma malabathricum (Sendudok): a common shrub along the jogging track. It is a medicinal plant used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery; cuts and wounds; it reduces blood pressure and relieves a toothaches.

Rosette of Nepenthes ampularia pitchersSeraya timbau (Shorea smithiana) (left) and Banjutan (Shorea multiflora) are among the common giant dipterocarps found within the Kebun Cina

223223223

Sandakan Rainforest Park

224

Special Features

Activities 2007It has been estimated that more than 50 recreationists visit SRFP every day. During public holidays and weekends, the number may exceed 400.

The main activities organized by the Sabah Forestry Department during 2007 are as follows:-• Survey of the Boundary of Kebun Cina Forest Reserve (14th June 07)The launching of the forest reserve boundary survey project and the formation of the Survey Team of the Sabah Forestry Department was officiated by the Director of Sabah Forestry, Datuk Sam Mannan, in Sandakan Rainforest Park on 14th June, 2007. The survey of the boundary of Kebun Cina Forest Reserve was the first assignment of the team.

• Study on Visitors to SRFP (May & June 2007)The study was conducted by a few volunteers and supervised by a researcher in the Forest Research Centre. There were 256 respondents. The results of the study were as follows:-

Visitors Profile Category Percentage (%)

Age

Below 20 years old20 to 30 years old40 to 50 years old30 to 40 years oldAbove 50 years old

29 26191412

GenderMaleFemale

65 35

Race

ChineseMalaySabahan/Sarawakian NativeIndianOthers

6920722

Occupation

StudentProfesional / TechnicalBusinessmanSales / ClericalManagement / AdministrationHousewifeRetiredOthers

3018151211545

Purpose of Visit Category Percentage (%)

Main Purpose Outing and exercisingFamily recreational activityEnjoy the beauty of natureGain knowledge on natureOthers

7112728

Frequency & Time Of Visit Category Percentage (%)

Frequency OthersTwice a weekOnce a weekEverydayOnce a monthTwice a month

322823764

Visit time WeekendsOtherSchool holidaysPublic holidaysWeekdays

52201774

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Visitor’s View Of Facilities To Be Provided

Facilities Importance

Future facilities

Observation TowerCamping site / picnic groundPlant gardenJungle trekking trailExhibition centreCycling trackStreet lamp along jogging tracksWebsite Canopy walkway

Important

Cafeteria Less important

Language Preferred

Language preferred to be used on signboard/interpretation materials in this park

EnglishBahasa MalaysiaChineseJapaneseArabicOther

Most preferredPreferredPreferred

Less preferredLess preferredLess preferred

Attraction

Main attraction of SRFP Suitable LocationViewFacilitiesOther

Main attractionAdditional attractionsAdditional attractionsAdditional attractions

Presentation Of Information

Mode of presentation of information the visitors prefer

Signboards Most preferred

ExhibitionWebsiteVideo/Slide showBrochureGuidebookOther

Preferred

Other Feedback Category Percentage (%)

Entrance Fee Suggestion Free RM 1RM 2RM 3RM 5

5331961

Do the visitors agree if a Nepenthes Garden, to be opened in this park?

YesNo

8911

Do the visitors know there are a lot of unique plants such as pitcher plants and Karamunting tree in this park?

Yes No

4555

Do the visitors agree if a Nepenthes Garden, to be opened in this park?

YesNo

8911

Are the visitors interested in the uniqueness and the natural beauty of this park

YesNo

973

continued ...

Sandakan Rainforest Park

226

Special Features

Cleanliness Campaign (25th August 07) More than 100 participants joined the cleaning up activity (or gotong-royong) in SRFP on 25th August, 2007. It was participated by staff of the Forestry Department staff and the Sandakan Municipal Council, members of the Sandakan Branch of the Sabah Society and the general public. The gotong-rotong was held mainly as a campaign to promote public awareness of the importance of keeping the Sandakan Rainforest Park clean. After the campaign, littering and vandalism were noticeably reduced.

Seminar: “Introduction to a New Eco-tourist Destination: Sandakan Rainforest Park” (15th December 2007)The seminar was held in the Auditorium of the Sabah Forestry Department in Sandakan in the morning on 15 December, 2007. It was attended by about 115 participants comprising tour operators, tourist guides, hotel managers and other stakeholders of nature-based tourism in Sandakan. In the afternoon, more than half of the participants took part in a guided tour of the Sandakan Rainforest Park.

Cleaning up activity in SRFP

About 115 participants of the seminar

As of the end of 2007, the facilities in the Sandakan Rainforest Park which were open to the general public are shown below.

Main facilities in Sandakan Rainforest Park

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Sandakan Rainforest Park Website (www.sandakanrfp.com)The website of the Sandakan Rainforest Park was launched in September, 2007. The website contains comprehensive information on the park, and has been updated regularly.

Screen shot of Sandakan Rainforest Park website

Datuk Sam Mannan’s Visit To Kebun Cina On 8th December 2007

At the Kebun Cina Gallery At the Pitcher Plant Garden

Sandakan Rainforest Park

Leadership involves fi nding a parade and getting in front of it.– John Naisbitt

Annual Report 2007

Interesting Fauna

A delicate damselfly (Odonata) Some handsome fungus beetles on the underside of the bracket fungus.

The barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak)

The Spiny hill turtle (Heosemys spinosa) generally stays under leaf litter.

The golden web spider (Nephila maculata)

White-Bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster).Photo by Yap Tshun Fong.

228

Special Features