Sabah to host Asian Bird Fair
Published on: Friday, May 19, 2023
By: Sherell Jeffrey
Liew (fourth right), Noredah (third right), Roger (second right) and Yusri (fourth left) with their team pose for a photo during the 12th Asian Bird Fair 2023 press conference.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah will play host to the Asian Bird Fair 2023 - the largest bird-watching event in Asia - scheduled to be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre here from October 13 to 17.South Korea, Taiwan and Kuching (Sarawak) have hosted previous editions of the prestigious event, which is now in its 12th edition.
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The Sabah Birdwatchers Association, with the help of Sabah Tourism Board, will host the event with the theme “Birds and Children: Hand in Hand” which they expect to have 150 delegates, including experts from all over the world, as well as speakers and exhibitors from the region.
Children’s bird-watching activities, webinars and a photography competition are among pre-event activities available for the public.
The Asian Bird Fair was initiated by three avid birdwatchers - Michael Lu (Philippines), Victor Yu (Taiwan) and Andrew Sebastian (Malaysia).
The fair is an annual event designed to showcase the various bird fairs across Asia, boost eco-tourism and bird-watching and raise awareness about the importance of protecting birds and their habitats.
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“Invaluable knowledge and expertise will be shared through a series of talks, workshops and networking sessions,” said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew during the Asian Bird Fair 2023 media conference, here, Thursday.
There will be a wide variety of exhibitors displaying the latest in bird-watching equipment, eco-tourism prospects and conservation activities, and the fair is expected to draw 2,000 visitors from all over the world.
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According to her, visitors will gain a more in-depth familiarity with avian species, conservation techniques and the crucial contribution birds play in preserving ecological harmony.
The vast variety of bird species in Asia and beyond will be on display at the fair.
Visitors can expect to learn more about the significance of birds, bird-watching items and equipment, thanks to displays by ornithological groups, eco-tourism businesses and wildlife photographers.
Liew believes this will be the ideal venue for laying the groundwork for future collaboration and relationship building in the field of bird conservation.
She noted the organisers hope to collaborate with schools and universities in order to teach the next generation the importance of protecting the environment which draws eco-tourists to Sabah.
Meanwhile, Sabah Birdwatchers Association Vice President cum Asian Bird Fair 2023 Organising Committee Chairman Roger Rajah said the association won the bid to host the fair in Kota Kinabalu, thanks to the support of the Sabah Tourism Board.
“This victory is a testament to our commitment to bird conservation, our rich biodiversity and Sabah as a tourism destination,” he said.
“Sabah is blessed with an impressive array of bird species and we hope to showcase the natural wonders of our region and highlight the importance of protecting and preserving these fragile ecosystems,” he added.
Also present were Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Yusrie Abdullah and Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Noredah Othman.
Sabah is home to 15 of Malaysia’s 55 Important Birding Areas (IBAs), according to data provided by the Sabah Birdwatchers Association.
There are 688 known resident and migratory bird species in Borneo, including 66 indigenous to the island and six to the State.
A few of the most sought-after endemic species are the Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Broadbill, Blue-headed Pitta, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, Golden-naped Barbet and Bornean Bristlehead.
In terms of terrain, Sabah is blessed to have different areas where birding takes place at Mountain Ranges (Kinabalu Park, Trus Madi, Crocker Range), Lowland Forests (Danum Valley Conservation Area, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Poring Hot Springs, Tawau Hills Park), Freshwater Swamps and Floodplains (Kinabatangan River, Likas Lagoon), Plains and Ricefields (Kota Belud Bird Sanctuary) and Islands (Mantanani, Layang-Layang).
The United Kingdom, the United States and Taiwan account for the vast bulk of bird-watching tours to Sabah.
Visit www.ABF2023.com for more details about the Asian Bird Fair 2023.
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