Deep in the heart of the Maliau Basin lies a lost world awaiting to be discovered by scientists and thrill-seekers.
It is home to the largest ecological experiment ever established in Asia, and dubbed the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) project.
SAFE is a 10-year project funded by the Sime Darby Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Society- Southeast Asia Rainforest Research Programme (SEARPP) and Sabah Foundation, which manages the Maliau Basin.
Putting SAFE into layman terms, the project basically takes an in-depth look at how biodiversity is affected as forests undergo changes (from a primary forest to an oil palm plantation) which cause disruptions to ecosystem processes and services such as carbon sequestration, decomposition and pollination.
And it is a huge task, considering that the Maliau Basin is as big as Singapore — at 58,840ha. This is also the reason why it will take scientists at least 10 years before they can come up with the findings.
Sime Darby Foundation, which kicked off SAFE in January last year, is taking a big leap of faith in the project as the results may prove or dispel criticisms from environmental proponents that plantations are the destroyers of biodiversity.
Whatever the results, Sime Darby Foundation chairman Tun Musa Hitam, at the launching of SAFE, said they would serve to improve Sime Darby’s commitment to conservation and sustainable development as the company was prepared to make the necessary changes to its management policy if need be.
For this purpose, Maliau Basin has a Research Studies Centre providing facilities to nature researchers and nature education programme participants. There’s an office building equipped with a library, mini-theatre, reception and souvenir shop. Housing is also available in the form of dorms and plush VIP houses. There is also a laboratory where certain researches are conducted.
However, most of the actual research work takes place in the field at several satellite camps established within the Maliau Basin.
Right now, scientists are working hard at finding the answers.
In the meantime, scientists are on a gradual exploration of the Maliau Basin, which is also said to hold many “secrets”.
Yayasan Sabah Group conservation and environmental management division group manager Dr Waidi Sinun said: “Maliau Basin is touted as a ‘lost world’ because the first successful human expedition to the area was only made in 1981.
“To date, scientists have only uncovered 20 per cent of the area, discovering a diverse range of flora and fauna.
“For example, more than 1,800 plant species have been identified, including six species of pitcher plants and more than 80 species of orchids. The rare rafflesia tengku-adlinii has also been found in Maliau Basin, one of only two known localities in Sabah.
“But more outstanding are the waterfalls. The uniqueness of the Maliau Basin is in its geology and the shape of the basin which creates an enclosed ecosystem. We have discovered more than 40 waterfalls.
“Among the most spectacular is the seven-tiered Maliau Falls. There should be more due to the shape of the basin.”
Dr Waidi said scientists also discovered two new species of small fish, palm tree and several types of insects.
“We still have more space to cover. We hope that as we venture deeper into the basin, maybe in the next 50 years, we will be able to find new species of larger animals,” he said.
The Maliau Basin is located near Tawau. From Kota Kinabalu, the Maliau Basin is a five-hour journey on logging roads by four-wheel-drive vehicles.
