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The Indonesian provinces of East, South, West, and Central Kalimantan occupy a little less than 75% of the total land area. The Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak occupy around 25%. And the tiny country of Brunei occupies just short of 1% of the total land area.
Borneo is home to the world’s oldest rainforest. At 130 million years old, it’s 70 million years older than the infamous Amazon rainforest in South America. In addition to this, it is also regarded as one of the world’s centers of biodiversity. This is highlighted by the fact that the rainforest is home to thousands of species of animals, and even more species of plants.
Sadly, the island has seen massive deforestation in recent years. The urban population continues to grow in all three countries on the island. In turn, the logging industry continues to grow on the island as well. Also, the construction of hydroelectric dams and the mining of other minerals and natural resources contribute to the degradation of the island’s rainforests. However, not all hope is lost for Borneo. Eco tours are just one of the many different things locals are capitalizing on to preserve the beauty of the environment. From the peaks of Mount Kinabalu to the pristine white sand beaches of Sabah, Borneo eco tour options are overflowing.
Among the numerous eco tourism activities in Borneo, diving, hiking, and jungle trekking are perhaps the most popular. Sipadan Island, off the eastern coast of Sabah, is the number one destination in Borneo for divers. Matter of fact, many dive journals across the world list it as a must-visit diving destination. Hawksbill and green sea turtles are a major draw for divers. These animals are said to be seen during every diving trip. With thousands of species of fish and hundreds of species of corals, the waters surrounding the island make up one of the world’s richest biodiversities.
Kinabalu National Park, situated on Mount Kinabalu, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The mountain summit trail can be found in this park. Visitors who want to climb to the peak must be assisted by a park certified guard. Like many other parts on Borneo, UNESCO has referred to the mountain and the immediate forests surrounding it as yet another center of biodiversity.
Borneo tours aren’t just limited to eco-tours. For those who are interested in a more commercialized form of tourism, the island offers that, too. Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian state of Sabah is a city where one can experience all the different cultures of Malaysia.
Brunei is another must-visit destination on the island of Borneo. It might be one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia, but it’s one of the richest. It’s rich in history, culture, and tradition. Its monarchy is also one of the most admired and respected in the world.
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Source by Kara Crocker
