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THE SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION 175 local and foreign scientist and researchers from various local universities and institutions participated in the expedition. They were from ASM, SFD, UNIMAS, UKM, UPM UM, Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), International Tropical Timber Organisations (ITTO), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Sarawak Minerals and Geoscience Department, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Brunei Forestry Department, Folia Malaysiana Sdn Bhd, State Government of Sarawak and several more other institutions.
Other than senior scientists and researchers, a number of young scientists also took part in the expedition. Scientists were grouped into 6 groups namely flora diversity group, fauna diversity group, physical and landscape diversity group, water and aquatic studies, ecotourism potential group, and socio-economic group. Each group was headed by a coordinator assisted by an assistant coordinator. Participants were drawn from a multitude of expertise and interest, including flora diversity, fauna diversity,geology & physical diversity, hydrology, eco-tourism, socio-economy and these fields were studied to obtain better understanding of the LEWS.
The specific site of the expedition is Eastern Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary. LEWS was chosen due to the fact that it is rich in the diversity of flora and fauna. Besides, LEWS has been approved as a centre for plant research in Sarawak. It is also situated in a trans-border area and the area is very rich in straddles in the Heart of Borneo initiative. The preliminary work shows that animal and plant life. Lanjak Entimau was constituted as a wildlife sanctuary in 1983 specifically for the protection of orang utan (Pongo pygmaeus Linnaeus) and hornbills. LEWS is situated in the southwestern part of Sarawak in the watershed of the Lupar and Rejang rivers. It is the largest Totally Protected Area in Sarawak with the area of 168, 758 ha. LEWS is one of the most abundant sites for flora in Borneo with an equally distinct selection of animals.
To a large extent, the expedition has been successful in achieving its objectives. The gathering of the scientists and their research assistants from various field and institutions at the LEWS over ten days to conduct their respective studies by the day and night, and also briefing others by night, had provided a conducive environment for learning, cross-fertilisation of ideas, sharing of experiences as well as promoting synergy, networking and cooperation. As a follow-up of the expedition, a seminar involving all the scientists who had participated in the expedition and relevant stakeholders will be organized in Kuching, Sarawak. The main objective of the seminar is to provide opportunities for scientists who had participated in the expedition to present and discuss possible follow-up studies that require a more thorough investigation to be undertaken at the expedition site.
For registration form, fees and venue of the seminar, please view the brochure.