Canopy Walkway

"The canopy is the richest region of the diverse rain forest, and ranges in thickness from 10-40 feet (3-12 m). Countless species usually thought of as ground dwellers have adapted to life in the canopy—including worms, crabs, frogs, kangaroos, anteaters, and porcupines—where they feed on the abundance of fruits, seeds, and leaves or the numerous animals that are attracted these foods.

The plant life of the canopy is nearly as rich due to the variety of Epiphytes and Lianas." As stated at http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0404.htm retrieved on 15 November 2009.

As thick as it was mentioned above and as high as you can imagine of the Canopy Trees where the steel structure rises some 50 meters from the down part level of the highest tree were built to see the scenery like a birds.

The Canopy Walkway is the center of attention of Ulu Temburong and will regret if you don’t see the bird view, when you do the jungle trekking of 1226 steps before reaching the steel structure up high in the air.

Up high at the Canopy Walkway, Shaky and windy feelings up there

That was our latest and the last trip of BEACA activities for the first semester of 2009, visiting one of the famous National Parks in Brunei, named Ulu Temburong in the early morning of Sunday 15th November 2009, with one mission to reach the Canopy Walkway.

Ulu Temburong National Park base, where we register our name as a visitor together with the tourists from all over the world on that day

According to the Forestry department at http://www.forestry.gov.bn/frst_forest.htm, retrieved on 15 November 2009 "National Parks is the areas with distinctive geologic, topographic and other formations and features of special interest, which are reserved to maintain biologically diverse plant and animal communities for the benefit of the present as well as the coming generations" and stated that in Brunei Darussalam 46,210 Ha of National Parks are gazetted, 2,644 Ha as proposed area, 48,854 Ha are the total area of National Parks with 10.41 percent of forests involved with 8.47 percent total land area.

Labels shows the direction of Mount Kinabalu and Bandar Seri Begawan.

Bearing in mind on our previous ‘disaster’ happened during our trip to Serasa beach, where some of the BEACA members sank together with the transferring boat, safety first is the most important agenda to be upheld this time.

Life jackets is a must to wear while we in Temuai

To me, this is my third trip visiting the destination and to my surprise, the place is still clean and well maintained by the respective authorities. And what I am proud about this place is more and more tourists coming to make a visits.

This time ahead, I have learn to be positive, thinking in a positive way whereas be prepared is the second to none. But, without the guide from our tutor will not make this trip an adventurous and to be remembered. Thanks Dr. Irene!

With the country’s motto ‘Kenali Negara Kitani’ promoted by the Brunei Tourism, I’m supporting it with full force as to know our country better rather than experiencing people’s nation where our beloved country, Brunei Darussalam – Abode of Peace, has more to offer such as this Ulu Temburong.

After experiencing the Canopy walk, we were brought to Wasai Sungai Apan (mini waterfall) There, we healed ourselves after the hectic and tiring days for all of us.

Mini waterfall at Wasai Sungai Apan

On our way to the waterfall, there is a few species that i found and what attract my attention is the Green Butterfly or scientifically known as Troides Brookiana (named after the 'white rajah' James Brooke who ruled Sarawak as his private kingdom in the colonial era - which is also known as the Jewel of the rainforests.


Troides Brookiana is looking for mineral and salt

From what i retrieved from www.ecologyasia.com, it says that the jet blackwing colour and emerald green branding the males of this most glorious of species can be found searching for salt and other mineral near human habitation - in particular it favours sewage outfalls.

One of Heron Species also known as 'Bangau' that found along Sungai Belalong

Soonafter, we were asked to pack and get ready for the next destination after the lunch. And at this point, me as the first-aid had injured myself and experiencing a cramp on my left ankle due to the cold water. To my rescue, Cecilia (our guide) help me out to cure back on my foot.

Having lunch outside the Wasai Sungai Apan

Vast-experienced, Cecelia from Koperasi Kerjasamamu who helped us a lot during the trip, with tips and first aid.

We were then transferred to 'Temuai' which is a long boat as it is called before being carried out on a bus to our next destination which is the long house in Kampong Sumbiling Baru.

At the long house, headed by head village Igat Anak Tarang, has 16 doors with 16 families living in. To my surprised, this long house is equipped with the latest informative technology, Wireless!

Traditional game called Carrom ('Kiram') played at the long house.

Before we headed home, at the Bangar Jetty, Dr Asmah treat us with the ever delicious king of fruits, durian to packed our hungry stomach on the way back to Bandar Seri Begawan. And one that attract my sumptuous appetite offered by the stall owner is the durian they called it 'Durian Hutan' which is very rare to find it somewhere in Bandar Seri Beagawan.

Though it is really tiring trip but i am really satisfied with this latest BEACA organised trip and hope that BEACA will once again 'entertain' the members with more trip to come in the second semester.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

by Imelda Farrah Zohre HA

AS soon as we arrived at the meeting point at around 6 am for a sailing trip, we've waited for the bus to come but to no avail. Unlike our previous trip, this time no transportation provided to transport us to the Serasa beach.

Then we make a move ten minutes later after a discussion with BEACA members to drive all the way to the meeting point. As soon as we arrived, we waited for the Dream Charter's crew to come. While waiting, we were instructed by Dr. Irene to apply for a sun block and insect repellent as to avoid those unwanted insects to attack us nor to blackened our younger look skins.

Depart from the beach to the sailing boat.

Once we are done with the self protection, those from the Dream Charter arrived with a small boat at bay of the Serasa beach and instructed us to enter. Few of my mates went on the first 'encounter' (could be first experience for some of them for sitting on a small cute boat).

And this doesn't stop there as the boat suddenly capsized in the middle of the way before reaching 13m long and 3.6m wide 'Jenny'. It looks like a big chaos from our eyesight. We were panicking seeing this. Dr. Asmah is one of the passenger on the boat. However, the Dream Charter crew who has vast experience are the hero of the day as they managed to saved all the buddies and bring them at bay.

The boat capsized...

However, as this might be their first hand experience, some of my mates looks traumatic and sad for what happened and not to mentioned for those who carries their expensive gadgetries swam together into the deep salty water.

The "survivor" being calmed down by Dr. Irene....

After everything is back to normal, all of the BEACA members were on board the steel constructed 'Jenny' which is safe on ocean going vessel. The vessel is 18t that can carry a maximum of 25 guests.

We were briefed by Aideen, the Dream Charter crews about sailing terminology, besides some of sailing safety tips. While Captain Peter captaining the vessel from Serasa beach to the checkpoint at Pulau Muara Besar, we can see the scenery of our beloved country who kept unthinkable of unexpected treasures.

The panoramic view of the Petima.

At Pulau Muara Besar, at the place where we anchored, we then swam down the South China Sea while some took some pictures for something to be remembered. After that we boarded back the vessel and on board the 'Jenny' then start to experience the many functions that the vessel has to offered first hand.

First hand experience taught by Aideen

Some of the lesson we were taught is about the knots. It was told that the bowline sometimes called the 'King of Knots' is one of the most useful knots to sailors. It can be made quickly and easily and will never jam. The rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree and back down the hole.

On our way to the Serasa beach, at some point the Dream Charter engine stopped. While waiting for it to be fixed, we saw some boats passing in our sail.

It was a worthwhile experience and not easy to forget.

Hep!...Hep!... Hoorrrrrrraaaayyyyyyy!!!!!

Tremendous Tees

Shocking! This is the biggest tree ever i have seen in Brunei Darussalam with my raw eyes. The tree is really huge and needed 12 people connecting together to measure how 'monstrous' the tree is. From my understanding, the tree has reached of more than 100 over years old. During my visit there, I was told not to 'disturb' the sky-high tree as part of it died due to human disturbance.

Dr. Irene (right) with the picturesque view of the huge tree's background

It took us nearly two hours to find our way out from this unexpected unique forest that kept lots of animal sounds that I never heard it before in my previous jungle trekking. Hearing that, I tried to record it but my fellow friends don't allow me to do so, having in mind will effects her spirits.

The Bonsai flower once famed as a home decoration

From my previous activities, we learned lots of plants species but now we focus on the animals and insects though the aim is to see the big tree which is yet to know the scientific name of the biggest tree.

One of the 'biscuits-look-alike' caterpillar that we found

From the journey, we also learn the meaning of teamwork besides learning the preserve of this beautiful forest which kept the big trees and the small waterfall that I am pretty sure not much people knew about it.

Due to non-exposure of this beautiful forests, there is only a little wastage to be collected. This show how clean the forest is.

We supposed it was a baby snake egg that already hatch

We, the second team at this activities, reached the finishing line first, as to our first team lost in the middle of the forest. Dr Irene and some of my fellow then decided to make a rescue managed to find them half and hour later.

Hopefully, this beautiful preserve forest that not only consists big trees and mini waterfall as well as big stone-look alike-caves can be one of the main attraction in Brunei for researchers and adventures tourists to come over.

One of the biggest stone, emerging like a cave's look

By Imelda Farrah Zohre HA

When I was a kid I was told that Sumboi-Sumboi is good to make your hair grow even longer and thicker once you put the liquid of Sumboi-Sumboi all over your head. But you have to practise it everyday. I ever saw it my childhood neighbour apply it to his hair, as if he can have a better hair then mine, yes it is, he manage to make his hair longer even faster. Pitty him, his mom instruct him to cut his hair short because he have to take photo for his IC.

One of its species, the enzymes that this plants produce can clearly see inside it

So I ask my parents about this Sumboi-Sumboi liquid which is smell not so bad, I ask them where I can get this things, soon my dad simply answer that we only can get it in depth forests and tall tree. Since then I never saw and never try to use this Sumboi-Sumboi again. Until one day I saw a riplica of big Sumboi-Sumboi that are located at the Berakas Forest reserved entry which recall me back about my childhood story.

I manage to do some research about this uniquie plants, that the sciencetist name it as Nepenthes plants or they call it Monkey Cup as part of Tropical Pitcher plants.

The Monkey Cups (Sumboi-Sumboi) plants

After all, I wanted to know more about this Sumboi-Sumboi as a Tropical Rainforest living things when it was last Friday 9th October 2009, BEACA activites continue with our next trip to a forests that are located somewhere at Rimba. Just a few Kilometers to the roundabout of the Giant superstores.

As usuall with the BEACA team member, me and others are already with our own post that we voulenteery filled. So as a refreshment manager for this week I prepared 100plus for the group to regain their water body after the trekking.


Taking us about 30 minutes to go out of the depth forests, again our sweepers (Azmey and Nurhakimah) lead us the way, which Nurhakimah not sure about it. But yet we manage to go out as soon as the other gourp reach the meet points.

Some of them who are very active and commited having fun doing this trips

As soon as we take a rest about 5 to 10 minutes, we all vote to go back to where we were drop by using the new way, which I suppose they never recce it before, so all the groups gatherd together and later make our own path to go back to the finish line.

Along the tiring way, hot, no reception area in a very depth forests and a slippery hill with a lots of intresting species of trees, plants and inscets we manage to go out after about 30 to 35 minutes which we pass by a staff houses, abdonden building and a lots of construction area.

From this trip I learned a lots of plants speices, such as an Orchid that are well growth in the middle of the forest filed, then we saw the 'Bunga Kodok-Kodok' the purple colour flower that believe can be use to clear skin form any accidental marks. Melastoma malabathricum L. (Melastomaceae) is the scientific name of it, which also believe can reduce the heartburn problems.



What is more, we manage to see the giant 'Daun Pandan' the leaves have thorn and even bigger that survival can use to make a roof by it and thia giant pandan does not smell like the normal pandan that we are using for the 'Bunga Rampai' in sepecial occassion.

Now this is what I saw from this trip, we need a great team work which we a having it now, just need to improve it well, the same problem that we have is to know what post to handle for the next trip. Everydbody keep on asking whos doing who? What is more to know our own responsibilties is also another thing that is very important to this exciting activites just need to add on the commitment evrything that we suppose to do we aware of it. Anyway I am having fun to gain myself a great experience with this activites and looking foward for the next trip, with a lots of new plants and species to be seen.

LUCKY GARDEN

According to Forestry Department of Brunei Darussalam in their Website http://www.forestry.gov.bn/about_geo.htm. Retrieved on 5 th October 2009 stated that "About 78% of Brunei Darussalam's land area of 5,765 sq km is covered by forest, giving rise to forestry as one of the major activities in the country. The Government of Brunei Darussalam has acted to conserve some 322,000 ha hectares as forest reserves. At present, about 235,520 ha (40% of total land area) has already been gazetted as FR and out of this, about 50,000 ha has been allocated as National Park."

Lucky Garden in Brunei Darussalam is one of the place where located a forest that not much people really know. Being with this BEACA involved in this week activity, I am exposed to this beautiful place that can be use as one of the recreational area just like Bukit Shahbandar dan Bukit Markucing not only doing exercises climbing up the hill and see the beautiful of the nature but also to do a research about this a little bit untouched forest.

It was the 15th day of Hari Raya Celebration, everybody still in their Hari Raya mood but yet we still do our activities to this Lucky Garden as early as 6 am which is located around the Sungai Tilong Area. At the first place I'm thinking that this area are were a garden was developed and later thougt that this area is just a place where the housing area for mostly Chinese people to live in. I keep on wondering why we are assigned to this activities to this hiding place.

According to our friends who were doing the recce with Dr Irene, it is a Jungle Trekking activity that we going to do and later I begun to wonder agaian is there any forest that we can do junlge trekking activity over there. Answer to all my questions later replied as I witnessed it myself those place.

One of the river that we crossed over

With the number of 13 students who took BEACA course including myself were divided into three groups thats include two sweeper at each and every group. As we go along to the almost end of the road the bus stop and we started to divide ourself into goups and start to move on starting by walking to a muddy road, just a minute later we reached the bottom of the hill and started to climb it eventhough it is a slippery path and soon after climbing it we started to enter the forest.

Again, due to Hari Raya 'open houses', I felt it is so heavy and breathless climbing the hill that are surrounded by several spieces of plants, but I have to be committed to it until the end of our slippery and muddy journey. Beside doing this healthy activities not only may drop my 'Hari Raya' Cholesterol that I've been collecting but also the exposure that I got from this beautiful Tropical Rainforest with so much species of plants and insects leaving on it, may open my eye and think back that this area should be reserved for the sake of the environments.

Forest Fruits that I am doing the research of this species

What makes me interested is the uniqueness of several tree that are growing there without being damaged and destroy, the mushroom that we saw makes me thinking that this kind of plant also in need of the tropical rain forest. What if the forest being destroy those kind of mushroom only can be seen in the supermarket that were imported form outside country.

Our Sweeper the smells of this tiny flower is nice.. but....... you experience it yourself

I am impressed with the view as we reached a the first hill that we climb up. We saw the view of the housing and the beautiful Mosque that are located at Perpindahan Lambak Kanan, this place remind me of Bukit Markucing at Kampong Subok that I used to go before that also giving us a very nice view but yet this view is even new and off course its my first time to experience it myself.The beautiful view of Masjid Kampong Lambak

Nevertheless, as we go along climbing up and down the hill we saw some annoying things happened to this area which will be bit by bit disturb the purity of the plants surrounds. First we saw abondan hut that are built with a wood from the forest itself. Second is the dumping area look a like just before we climb up the next hill, while me and my friends try to collect it but it is to dangerous to reach due to the steep location, and many more to see.

Our Sweeper (Azmey Yunos and Hajah Noorhakimah) lead our way while collecting some white paper which was left over at selected plants and tree as a mark that are made by the previous unknown activities. By collecting it we indirectly clean this forest and make it even clean. The only marks that the sweeper hold on to is the blue ribbon on which also we removed it as soon as we pass by our marks.

Now, what I saw in that forest is several species of Fungi, forest fruit which I bet can also be eaten to survive, several species of inscets and any size of trees with diffrent sepices can be found in that forest. Other than the steep hill and high low hill we also saw a small river that we cross over it and earlier then that is the plantation with the hut and the equipment of the activities that are practise by the people who are leaving that area.

Green Fern

Bracket Fungi, only in Tropical Rainforests.

What is more I also realize that team work among us will makes the group even stronger and together till the end of our journey especially in helping hand. To remember our own responsibilities and what to do with it is also one of the important things to be done. Committed to it will be easy for everybody and will not facing any problem in the future.

When group 1 meet group 2...in the middle of the forests... we stop and taking Photo

Dr Irene with the rest of the fellows is in the group three

I am a First-Aider during the jungle trekking were done, everybody come and go, arrived and departure in a safe and well-condition so from there I assume no accident and injured happened during the activities, thanks GOD for making this trip successful and happening.

The end of the trips we manage to collect the rubbish and divided it into recycle theme.

SHIBE Area

It was Monday 14th September 2009, me and Noorhamizah are partnered together and start to do our survey at the SHIBE building and area.

First of all we found it difficult to see the negative and positive effects surrounds, but as we walk along, too much to records and explain about, its just we don't realize it.

Listed below are the good and bad things the uses of electricity in the building that we've been allocated.

GOOD USE
- Its good to see some of the rooms which are empty with the Lights off.
- Labels and warning to remind the user to save the energy consumption as part of the energy saver awareness.

No lights are used during the day lights

by depends on the day lights the corridors lights are switching off

BAD USE
- Air-conditioner are left on though the light is off.
-The lights are on during the day lights where as the we still can relay on the lights outside.
- Some labels and warning stickers are faded away, blur and getting colorless.


One of the office clerk at SHIBE left switch on with nobody inside.

The labels and stickers to remind the user are fade away, not clear and colorless

Now, that are some of what we come through for about one hours session of survey. We also unexpectedly found that besides student and the lecturer, other people here in UBD such as cleaner also need to have this awareness.

One of the cleaner room was locked from the outside while the lights inside are on.
Even a minute or two the usage of energy may effects the whole world that we are leaving on to. We might tend to forget on it, but there is always a way to remind them such as the sticker that are stick to make everybody aware. Form this we manage to reduce the energy consumption, here are the example of the article to what I am trying to say:-

He further said that Brunei has experienced an improvement in energy efficiency but on a sectoral, fragmental basis. He cited the DES as an example, where after being audited on their energy conservation, achieved a 32 per cent reduction in energy usage. "There is something there, even if we can't quantify it just yet," he said.
taken from --- http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/05/27/breakdown_of_power_consumption_needed (retrieved on 16 September 2009)


Other then focusing on the lights and the Air-condition usage among the residents of UBD. We come to think that elevator are use to make our comfort but the usage of electricity. Instead of using the elevator, why not using the stairs that can lead us to the health concerns.
As far as we can see this new technology brings a lots of benefits to us but can effects the global warming in terms of the energy usage. Now the using of Solar System or the censor that are apply to some of the services using the Technologies.

The elevator or the stairs. The easy way or the healthy way.


After all, Nurhamizah and me do the survey that teaches us a the meaning of saving in every aspects. The nature relay on us to look after them while us need the nature for our everyday life. Start to control the energy consumption and practise it everywhere you go.

KEKEXILI : MOUNTAIN PATROL

By Imelda Farrah Zohre HA


INTRODUCTION
Patrol is normally did by a police or other enforcement officer from any government department to stop every illegal activities which will ruin the economic, culture, environment, society, infrastructure and many more that are beyond normal people’s thinking.


Just recently, on 31 August 2009 once again the BEACA organize other activities as part of our course work in BEACA course. We are not doing any more fieldwork but we are required to watch movie, titled KEKEXILI : MOUNTAIN PATROL.


Here, I will not describe about the synopsis of the story but I will only touch several scenes that I saw in the movie directed by Lu Chuan according to some relevant aspects in Environment, Society, Culture, Traditions, Economic, Legal System and Policy.


ENVIRONMENT ASPECTS
In that movie the film director mostly does the shooting at a very nice location, very beautiful mountains with a little green life as if shows a long way without any end. There is also a river though I saw a dessert that looks very hot and dry but the weather seems to be very cold when the snows starts to fall. Besides, this is normally where the rarest species are live and trying to survive from the illegal hunter.


SOCIETY, TRADITIONS AND CULTURE ASPECTS
According to the film, this society of Tibetan have their own traditions such as in funeral ceremony, they will not buried the human body besides this society leave the human corpse to be eaten by the Birds which I am not quite sure the name. I also saw this society have own traditions by dancing and singing in a circular motion for celebrating. I also watched their harsh life style, killing and hurting their enemies for witnessing their activities or even leaving them in the middle of the desserts without any food plus very bad weather.


ECONOMIC ASPECTS
Economical matters that shows in this film was the selling of the pelts illegally outside their country that can make them wealthy and living in a very high standard life. Those antelope hunters are very smart in hiding the pelts before it can be selling to their customers illegally.


LEGAL SYSTEM AND POLICY ASPECTS
Hunting the antelope is prohibited by law unfortunately there is no enforcement to take action to these matters. Only the volunteers poachers took the action to stop this illegal activities by trying to kill the head of the of the antelope hunters.


Basically the highlight of this film is about the controlling of the Tibetan Antelope from extinct for the sake of the wild life and the country economic since the pelts are very pricy and can only be selling to outside country.


My most anxiety after watching the movie is the harsh life of this culture that doesn’t even care to look after each other’s life and situation. It shows when everyone is trying to save their own life when every plan didn’t go smoothly.


The betrayal of the poachers selling the pelts is also one of my anxieties due to the desperate feelings to get money for the food and the petrol for the patrols team


Sandstorms’, unexpected quick sand, snowstorms is the weather that shows in this film which surprised me especially when people cannot survive with it.


Three things that I learns from watching this movie are as below:-

1. Friendships : the friendship among this volunteer poachers shows when one of their crew was sick and sent to hospital even when money is not enough.

2. Focus and Determination makes every step to reach the success.

3. Looking after of the wild life is important to avoid them from extinct.


In conclusion there are several things I need to apply to my everyday life and change the way I think how to control a habitats of wild life discrimination and the environments. I am so glad to live in Brunei Darussalam with the law which I should not be obeyed. I will never buy any animal skins things and products such as the carpets, handbag, shoes etc.

Harvesting Paddy Laila on 17 August 2009

By Imelda Farrah Zohre HA

The highlight of my first filed trip with the Brunei Environment Appreciation and Community Action (BEACA) was the Harvesting paddy Laila owned by Haji Muhd Ali bin Haji Bakar which is located at the Agriculture Development area of Wasan paddy planting project.

Hot weather with strong sunlight is what I worry the most. What is more, I also worried about how the harvesting going to be like, is it hard or else I will ruined the whole area of the paddy.

I was told to get ready as early as 5.30 am as the bus which is provided by the BEACA left the UBD at 6am but due to work late at the night before the trip, I was overslept and that makes me missed to join the group.

Anyway I drive myself to that area mentioned, though its hard to find and kinda long journey but I manage to reach there as soon as the first group finish their activities. So, me and some of my 'new' friends which I just know continue as what are told to do so.

Me and my 'new' friends showing off what we got!

There were some aspects that surprised me especially when I knew its not that hard to the harvesting work even though I did it wrong way at least I learn from my mistakes. The mistakes which I mean is that cutting the paddy is not only the seeds itself, it is suppose to be cut include the stalk or the leaves which the machine will do the job of separating.

"Ohhh.. this is how the machine work? Laaa.. thats why the cut it with the stalk and the leave.."

Soon after we finish the harvesting within the time frame provided, I ask the owner what the next process which I eager to see and try it myself, with disappointment I saw the machine works well separating the stalk and leaves that left the seeds itself which were ready to dry.


Nah... you see.. the paddy are all dried up!!


Anyhow I learned three most important things form this experiences, first this activities teach me how to be more patient in doing the cutting work with or without the gloves. Second things is that hardworking is what we must have particularly in harvesting the paddy as this paddy is the fundamental food we have to produce and the third things I learned is that the important of the rice towards self-sufficiency in rice production in Brunei.

So from this trip, I learned that PUNCTUALITY is important, because I missed a lot what the first group have done, what is more the time management is also much more important as it is need to produce more when the time provided is used well.

Other that, I learned how to enjoy myself and forget about the hot weather and the direct sunlight. When His Majesty of Brunei can do it why we can't?

The 'Self-Drive' groups after we interviewed the owner, Haji Muhd Ali bin Haji Bakar


Looking forwards to the next field trip......