Journey Along the Katibas River - Part 1

Boat express from Sibu town to Song which depart at 6.15am and reach Song at 8.15am.

It was a follow-up trip to the long houses along the Katibas River which is regarding the labours appointment to join us in our orangutan nest survey last June. Actually i only assist the officer from the Forest Department but as usual, i am excited because this is my first time going upper Katibas River.

My excited face on the boat just before we start our journey.

We already plan to overnight at the last longhouse which is Rh. Sapai and TR Sapai himself is our boatman for this trip. Our journey will took us more than six hours because we will be stopped at a few longhouses to deliver the letters and meet up with the locals. Somehow, the weather is not as good as we hope it will be. After our second stop, the rain was too heavy and we must reach Rh Sapai before its dark. So, we decide to skip the other four longhouses and continue it the next day on our way down to Song town.

The mouth of Katibas River

The water level is just nice so we don't have to pass the shallow water with rocky rocks in this super cool river. I imagine of the strong current but since the water level is quite high, so the current is just mild. 

Our boatman, TR Sapai. The fuel is cost about RM500 for one way trip. 

Our boatman is very experienced and skillful person and he knows all the safe route to escape the big rocks in this river. I salute him for i feel safe along the way but somehow, he was drunk on the next day after a few stops at the longhouses. Only then i start to feel scared. Ha ha ha..

The flowers of Ensurai tree (Dipterocarpus sp.) is food source of aquatic life in this river.

It was a great experienced, even though it took us six hours to reach TR Sapai's longhouse and bad weather on the first day but i amazed by the beautiful scene along the river banks especially after the second last longhouse. It was amazing to have a chance to see the flowering Ensurai trees (Dipterocarpus sp.) along the rivers and knowing that the food source of the aquatic life especially the fishes is abundant and available. 

Finally, in the end, this will be one of the experience that i will appreciate as much as other trips that i have made while exploring the Rainforest of Borneo. I am grateful to God for this great opportunity and i am still safe and sound. 

---

Grateful Heart, 

Rose Ragai

#2 ~ What is MANGROVE FOREST?

I know mangrove is a tree that people use for charcoal and also construction. In my previous entry I already mention that I did not know so much about mangrove. So, mangrove for me is only a tree. At this new place, the operational site has lots of mangroves. This makes me realize that I have to polish my knowledge and get the answer “What is MANGROVE?”.

I Google it up and found many interesting articles and information about mangroves. When I was asked by my friend to produce one poster on conservation, straight away I told her, “I want to make a poster about Mangrove Conservation”. So, this is the poster. I am quite happy with this poster because it provides information about mangroves, what we do and what we have inside this forest besides the mangrove tree species.

The Poster!

Let’s me extract some of the information from this poster.

What is Mangrove Forests? 
● Mangrove forests consist of diverse, salt-tolerant tree and other plant species, ranging from small shrubs to tall trees tens of meters high.
● Mangrove trees have various adaptations that allow them to live in saline, tidal areas. Their dense root systems give support in the soft, water-logged sediment. In most species, the roots protrude above the soil to absorb oxygen from the air, as the sediment is oxygen-poor.
● The most extensive area of mangroves is found in Asia, followed by Africa and South America. According to the FAO, the total mangrove area is around 150,000 km2. In Malaysia, mangrove vegetation covers an area of about 577,500 ha, with Sabah having the most extensive coverage of mangroves, accounting for 59% or 341,000 ha of the country’s total whereas, Sarawak has 132,000 ha (23%) and Peninsular Malaysia 104,200 ha (18%). Sabah’s mangrove forests occur largely along the east coast, facing the Sulu and Sulawesi seas.

The Importance of Mangrove Ecosystem: 

● Mangroves are valued for the protection they provide against coastal erosion, flood control, water purification, habitat for all sorts of marine life and also for their biodiversity conservation function. 

● It is considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of plant and animal life. 

● The important habitat for wildlife such as mammals (primates), birds (kingfishers, herons), insects (firefly), crustaceans (crabs, shrimps) and reptiles (crocodiles, lizards). 

● The mangrove forests provide natural resources in term of income generation for the fisherman community.

The local fisherman collecting mud crabs.

As a conclusion, before I start to do something I must understand them first. To get the understanding I need to put a big effort in it. This is my 3rd month and I don’t think I know that much yet. There are lots more to be done in order to make a huge impact in conserving this type of ecosystem and realizing that the local communities also play a major role, they are inside the circle as well.

The question now is, HOW? WHO? and WHEN?

Till then! Cheers!

Reference: 
Ng, P. K. L & Sivasothi, N. 2001. A Guide to Mangroves of Singapore. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore & The Singapore Science Centre. http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg 
Sabah Forestry Department. 2008. Mangrove Forest Management and Restoration, In Annual Report 2008. http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my

#1 ~ The Mangrove Adventure Begins

I came from a village that river is the main transportation. It is located along the Igan River. I put quite a few entries about my village when i start this blog and you can find it by click to this link:

Part 1: My Childhood (mind my grammar in that entry because the main reason creating this blog during that time was "to improve my poor English")

Frustration on Rajang River Disaster (you will find a few links in this entry and i am sure this entry will remind you of the 2010 tragedy in Rajang River). 

So, what i want to share is that, there is a mangroves in my village. This including a few species of mangrove trees such as Nypa fruticans, Bruguiera sp and also Sonneratia sp in my village. Then, when i get an offer from this new company that i am working now, i was excited when i was told to be working in the mangrove. Even though i will be far away from home, miles away, but i will feel like i am at HOME. Why? Because i will be in the mangroves. Sounds crazy to you? Maybe i am am.

So, my first visit to this mangrove forest was way back on 10th of July 2013. We went there through the sea and i found it, this mangrove is SPECIAL and INTERESTING to be explored. To be honest, i don't have any clue of the mangrove species and what else inside there. This become more exciting when i know that i will learn something new here and new findings not like up on the MOUNTAIN. (^___^). Well, it's very warm here compare to the mountain. 

This entry is only my introduction. I will share more after this. It's good to make you wonder, what i found right? I leave you with these photos, till then!

The river mouth, into the mangrove area from sea.

The Rhizhopora forest. Observed the roots!!! AMAZING right?!!

Ignore my chubbiness, just look at what i have in my hands. Its Horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus.!!! 

 Till then guys! Enjoy!

Hunting Sea Treasure

I visited one of the beautiful place to visit in Sabah in February this year, Simpang Mengayau, Kudat, Sabah. It was my first time and i am amazed by the beauty of the scenery. That is not all about it, my desire to explore that place is more strong. With my little digital camera, i walk down to the seaside. There are lots of people too. We are lucky because it is a low tide but the waves become more strong and stronger. Okay, lets see what i hunt there.

Did you see anything in this photo? Something crawling......?

What do you see in the above photo? I saw it from a far. Using my only 3x camera zoom, i can not get a clear picture of it. Yai! A little bit frustrated. My friend got his DSLR but he did not see this guy when i pointed out to him to capture some of it's picture. Still, need an eye like me (opsss.... he he he). 

In a blink of eyes, it disappear........

When i get closer, as usual i lost it. That crab slipped away down into the water. Maybe hiding under the rocks and laugh at me because i couldn't get him close up. Hmmmph.... Disappointed again but still it is exciting. What else i find?

Yes, it is a hole of a rock.....

I saw a hole. A big hole of a rock and got sea water inside it. Must be something interesting can be found inside it though. Something unique maybe. My curiosity sometimes scary but i like to find it out. But still i will not put my hand inside it because i know safety first (not like my early days, just do whatever i like without thinking twice).

Did you see anything? It's like a star inside......

Yep, there is a big size of STARFISH. I am excited but only can take pictures. Not brave enough to take it out besides i don't want to disturb this guy resting inside this hole so called little pond. There were a lot more other living creatures beside this guy, small prawns and fishes, crabs and snails... There are living together in this hole. Nice to see them together even though i am not sure which and which is the prey and predator. 

So, that is my findings for my hunts at the Tip of Borneo. I met Mr. Crab and Mr. Starfish. Quite an interesting and exciting experienced. Till then!

#5 - Walking Through Nature/ Villages

My walk continues to another village called Meligan. This village is about two hours drive from Sipitang. It is almost in the middle of Sipitang and Long Pasia. These village populated by about 1000 people. Quite a big numbers but yes it is. This village have their own primary school, health clinic, pre-school, public hall and also SIB church. The main ethnic in this village is Murut Tagal. I impress with this village because it is very clean. As we walk through the village, there were no rubbish along the road. It was totally clean. Thumbs up to the leader of the community in this village. That is why we plan to have this village as a host for the up coming ****, okay i almost reveal it here but i need to keep it secret though. I will share after the event happen.

My friend and i continues with our interviews from door to door. As long as there is people and the house is open, we tried to have conversation with them. It is really not an easy task to be done because both of us were new to the people in this village. We just approach them and if we have luck then maybe they will agree to be interviewed. We did not get many people but enough with the data. But then, we were attracted by the movements of the blue bird flying in the air and then perch on the fruit tree nearby one of the house. The bird keep on doing it for at least twice. As we get closer to it, it was a flycatcher but not sure what is the species. As we get closer, i can get about five shots and this is two of it. 

Just stand still for about a minute while my friend and i captured his/her
photos. I am not sure if this is male or female. I don't have my birds field
guide book. Yai! I wish i have one. I only have the pocket guide book. 

When he/she notice of our movements, the he/she flew away but still
i can capture him/her. After this he/she flew away till we can not him/her
anymore. Anyway, it was great to captured his/her photos that day. 

Here is an info about this species that i get from Global Species website:

The Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina) is an Old World flycatcher found in the Indian subcontinent, especially in the Lower Himalaya. It is named after its distinctive shade of copper-sulphate blue and has a dark patch between the eyes and above the bill base. The adult males are intense blue on all areas of the body, except for the black eye-patch and grey vent. Adult females and sub-adults are lighter blue. In Sundaland, it can be found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. 

So, that is about our little friend that we discover that day. Quite an interesting discoveries even though that is not the main purpose of our visit. But still, the love of the NATURE will always keep us alert and aware of anything related to our MOTHER NATURE. So, before i end this post, let's share two of my favorite view in this village. Of course the hanging bridge and the peaceful river. Till then!

Every time i visit this village, i will always wanted to let
my feet step on this hanging bridge.  

The river is so nice to see. The view is outstanding. It was so clean okay.
I hope the villagers will keep it clean since they will launch a Tagal System
for this river somewhere in June. 

WORLD WATER DAY - 22 MARCH 2011

I supposed to promote this campaign a while ago but i forgot about this world wide event. To promote awareness is one of my agenda using this blog, but i forgot. Just a little reminder about this event, i would like to share a little bit info about it today.

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. Here are lists of WWD celebration with each year theme since 1994.

• 2010 -- Clean Water For a Healthy World
• 2009 -- Shared Water - Shared Opportunities
• 2008 -- International Year of Sanitation
• 2007 -- Coping with Water Scarcity
• 2006 -- Water and Culture
• 2005 -- Water for Life 2005 - 2015
• 2004 -- Water and Disasters
• 2003 -- Water for the Future
• 2002 -- Water for Development
• 2001 -- Water for Health - Taking Charge
• 2000 -- Water for the 21st Century
• 1999 -- Everyone Lives Downstream
• 1998 -- Groundwater - The Invisible Resource
• 1997 -- The Worlds Water - Is there Enough
• 1996 -- Water for Thirsty Cities
• 1995 -- Women and Water
• 1994 -- Caring for Our Water Resources is Everyone's Business

The main event for World Water Day 2011 was celebrated at Cape Town from 20th - 22nd March 2011. The African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) is pleased to join UN-HABITAT and UN-Water in co-organizing the official World Water Day 2011 event. Ceremonies was hosted by the Government of South Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Here is a bit of World Water Day 2011:

• This is the first time in human history that most of the world's population live in cities: 3.3 billion people ...and the urban landscape continues to grow.
• 38% of the growth is represented by expanding slums, while the city populations are increasing faster than city infrastructure can adapt.
• The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.
• This year theme, Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge, aims to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to actively engage in addressing the challenges of urban water management.

To read more and find more information about this year WWD event, do visit this site World Water Day 2011. Most of the info that i shared here also i get from this site. Happy Reading and let's support this campaign. Hope i can do something about this event too for next year. Till then!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY -- Water Source



Photo taken at hilly paddy field (padi bukit)
at Alutok, Ulu Tomani, Tenom

Photo taken at village rubber plantation
at Alutok, Ulu Tomani, Tenom

Frustration on Rajang River Disaster

Feel like so frustrated and disappointed because of the disaster at Rajang River, reported since 7th Oct 2010. The chronological event is as follows:

Photo credit to The Star Online

I didn't wrote anything about it in here because i just don't want to talk about it in here. But i did wrote two posts in my LITTLE ROSE DAILY JOURNAL.

• My Presentation and Disaster at Batang Rajang/Igan on 11th Oct 2010
• Igan River Our Source of Life - Water is Life on 12th Oct 2010

The other one is in my Melanau language blog Asau Bau Aruh Ngau Bau Sapau. Can't tell what i feel when it is affected our people in our village in Kampung Kebuaw. Our kampong is at the mouth of the Igan River. It is about 45 minutes drive (boat drive) to reach the South China Sea.

I Googled today using log jam in rajang river and i get 17, 100 results within 0.24 secs. Most of it about the news on this disaster. These are some online news from local and international newspaper such as BBC News, Mongabay.com,  The Star, Bernama, Borneo Post Online and also independence news online such as The Malaysian Insider, Aliran.com, Malaysian Mirror Inside Sarawak, Free Malaysia Today and also bloggers such as DayakBaru.com, Borneo Unleashed and of course my blogger friend at Planet of the Monyets.

You can choose any of the links above for more news about this disaster. Personally i really really frustrated with the logging practice in Sarawak. If they do it according to the rules, the nature will not get angry and the very bad things like this will not happen. Nature know very well how to give a good lesson to the human but, how human react and take action to faced and managing such an huge disaster like this? Do we learn well from Nature? hmmmph...

I leave it till here... No more comments and critics... No point of talking but i can't do anything back... Till then...

Our Water Our Future - Severn Suzuki