SANDAKAN: Non-governmental organisations and research groups taking part in the first Rhythms of Rimba Wildlife Festival are bringing together years of work to a common platform, showcasing Sabah’s wildlife and natural habitats.
These groups, and several individuals who have dedicated their lives to the study of wildlife, will share stories about their work and research, apart from efforts they are carrying out to create awareness about Sabah’s diverse natural heritage.
The two day-festival which starts on Oct 3, will feature the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), HUTAN-Kinabatangan Orang Utan Conservation Project, Danau Girang Field Centre, WWF-Malaysia, Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), Reef Guardian and the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), Dr Lindsay Porter of St Andrews University and pangolin researcher Elisa Panjang.
The Sabah Forestry Department, and independent production company Scubazoo which has documented the State’s underwater heritage, will also feature their work, apart from the Model Ecologically Sustainable Tourism Community Project (MESCOT) that is based in Kinabatangan.
The two-day event organised by local non-profit Future Alam Borneo (FAB), will be held at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, near here.
FAB committee member Wong Siew Te said researchers and NGOs have put a lot of effort into studying wildlife such as Sun bears, Orang utan and Borneo pygmy elephants.
“There is so much we wish to share with the public, and we are really hoping to see a big turn-out for the festival, especially on Saturday when the event starts earlier at noon. Bring your families, and come with your friends to support this effort,” he said.
Wong who is also BSBCC chief executive officer, said there is a lot of interest among people from outside Sabah in learning about the state’s wildlife and natural habitats, and it is hoped that this festival will encourage more local school leavers and graduates to take up conservation and environmental studies.
FAB chairman Anton Ngui meanwhile said this is the first crowd sourced wildlife music festival in Malaysia.
He said FAB received support from the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, the Sabah Forestry Department and the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
“To meet costs of running this fest, we also received support from several local companies and from supporters, including from overseas,” he said.
Anton said the RM30 tickets for adults and RM10 for children and youths aged four to 17 and applicable for both days were reasonably priced, and would help ensure that FAB could run a second festival. FAB is also running a campaign on Indiegogo.com to get more people to chip in.
To make the event attractive to a larger crowd, FB has roped in singers, musicians and art performers. They include Pink Tan, Jason Lo, Amir Yussof Project, Jin Se, Guba, Dairy of Us, DJ Albino Veneto, Cris Aban, Rozella and Orkes Akiuku.
Schools performing are SMK Muhibbah which is sending gamelan and angklung troupes and Yu Yuan’s drum troupe. Local Lily Linus will lead a Zumba routine and TACKit will showcase a dance performance.
Magic Borneo Beads, Pangrok Sulap, Cracko Art Group and illustrator Evi Shelvia are among those who will feature their work.
The first 500 visitors will receive a gift pack from a sponsor. For event details, visit www.futurealamborneo.org or www.facebook.com/futurealamborneo.