Eco Tourism

             "Eco-tourism","low-impact travel", call it what you will. This form of  "experiential" holiday-making with an environmental theme has finally come in from the vegan, tree-hugging fringes to become THE alternative holiday choice for growing numbers of discerning travellers-both Asian and Western. Malaysia. it would seem, is the natural arena for eco-tourism, and yet not much has been done to develop it-considering its potential.

              Besides our national parks-none of which are easy to get to for a weekend getaway-there are just a handful of recognised local eco-destinations. And most of these still don't offer much variety in terms of activities. Until a few years ago, you either committed to a 4 plus day rugged adventure into the Malaysian Outback, or you swarmed in large numbers to the littered beaches or razed highlands like everyone else.

             Suspicion for this oversight of potential tourism has always fallen on the paper-shufflers at Tourism Malaysia. A nice word often used to describe Tourism Malaysia's vision for eco-tourism development in Malaysia is "uninspired". But then last year, something interesting happened in Langkawi, Jurgen Zimmerer, a Langkawi based German zoologist, who has become an expert on the archipelago's flora and fauna, saw the potential for eco-tourism here and decided to do something about it.

             Within months, he had drawn up a plan to open up Langkawi to eco-tourism and to deliver on the promise of adventure. The obvious advantages were easy and cheap access from KL, generally good weather, a compact rural arena that offered all sorts of suitable activities, and of course good food and accommodation for the less Indiana Jonesy.

                


                                       
    
               What was less obvious at first glance was that Langkawi-like nowhere else in Malaysia-is crowned by limestone mountains drench in waterfalls. And then there are the mangrove swamps and the scores of outlying islands, hemmed in by sheer cliffs. Cliffs that are pockmarked by some fairly amazing caves. These striking cliffs and caves with their amazing, hidden biospheres remain mostly unexplored and unclimbed.

                                     





                         

Langkawi has a few waterfalls that offer a scenic and peaceful view

                Jurgen has been taking small groups of nature enthusiasts on 3-hour trips into the spectacular mangroves for years. But more recently, he's concentrated on day- and night-jungle trekking.

                The mangroves around Langkawi are some of the best preserved anywhere. The symbiosis between all the resident flora and fauna is really quite exciting. Try to translate what's happening into simple terms so that anyone can learn something new.

                 But recently. The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) decided to blaze a trail through these delicate mangroves in order to bring in bigger boats, more people. They view tourism only in terms of volume business. Quantity supersedes quality, even if the money may be the same in the long term, development is good but there's a right way and a wrong way.

                 

                                             

                    There is still plenty of healthy mangrove left, to be sure. One of the chief  attractions for eco-tourists out here is feeding the huge wild sea eagles. In the middle of a large estuary. When scraps of fish was throws overboard, there are 20-30 reddish-brown sea eagles and huge white Brahminy Kites with wing spans of more than a metre circling overhead, taking turns to swoop in for meal.

                     For those nature lovers intent on getting close to Langkawi's eye-popping variety of flora and fauna, the Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa has begun providing an easy alternative in communing with nature. It has re branded itself as one of the most environmentally friendly resorts in the islands, their commitment to highlighting awareness of local nature can be seen in their specially trained staff members who double as nature guides. The guides takes guests to easily accessible parts of the island to enjoy nature walks that are on good trails and last no more than an hour.

                    On the walk, one can saw the handsome spectacled langur monkey, lizards, a praying mantis, wild papaya, civet cat tracks, two kinds of crabs, and three different kind of hornbills!  Did you know that the reason tropical tree's leaves tend to be glossy and pointed is so that rain-water will run off, preventing mold and rot from setting in?

                    Eco-tourism in Langkawi is making its mark, found its following, and is here to stay. But will eco-tourism, which depends on the fragile pristineness of nature for its survival, manage to keep the corporate predators at bay? That's the key question.