langkawi magazine

Nature SECTION

Heritage & Scientific Expedition 2003 Langkawi Islands

The Langkawi Development Authority, Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia and the Malaysian Nature Society will be launching the Heritage & Scientific Expedition 2003 to the 99 islands of the Langkawi Archipelago, Kedah on April 10th, 2003 at Mutiara Burau Bay Beach Resort. The expedition will cover both terrestrial and marine studies and will run for 10 days ending on the 19th of April 2003.

Mutiara Burau Bay Beach Resort, which is also a co-sponsor in this project, will be the base camp for the expedition.

This expedition hopes to unveil a number of new records and hopefully even new species as the past expeditions have as many rare and endemic species are often found on islands due to the isolation from the main land. Langkawi is rich with biological diversity as most part of its land is still covered by forest. It has masses of limestone hills, quartzite and granite outcrops. It also has quite number different habitats such as mangroves, highland and lowland forests hill forests and coral life.This expedition is also aimed to provide a holistic report comprising of all the studies previously done by other research teams.

The final report complied will be aimed at introducing a sustainable ecotourism development plan for Langkawi. The expedition organisers are also calling for volunteers to take part in the expedition. Volunteers' camp is open for the general public to apply and will be considered by the organisers before selecting the appropriate volunteers. Those who wish to participate in the expedition can obtain the forms from www.mns.org.my or contact the Malaysian Nature Society at 03 - 2287 9422. Corporate who wishes to take up the corporate sponsorship, which allows their staff to participate in the expedition, can contact the organiser at the above number.

Kuala Lumpur 20/03/2003