Day 6: Orangutans

🏫 Semenggoh Wildlife Centre Orangutans, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre – LiTSara Education Tour, Annah Rais Longhouse Village

💡I learned that Sarawak leads Malaysia in renewable energy, with 70% of its power coming from hydropower and strong reforestation efforts, 35 million trees planted last year. Unlike other states, Sarawak retains control over its resources and funding, enabling faster environmental initiatives.
The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) documents indigenous knowledge and commercialises traditional plant uses with science to create products like essential oils and herbal remedies, ensuring benefit-sharing with local communities and preserving cultural heritage

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A highlight was seeing the orangutans at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.
Another highlight was visiting Annah Rais Longhouse Village and meeting Madam Emily and Village Chief Mr Joda Mamung. The Chief explained personally to me that conservation isn’t just European imposed style. Ancestral practices embed sustainability, such as 12 monthly rest days to allow both people to recover from the climates and the forest to regenerate; only cutting bamboo when tides are low and no moon– preventing over-consumption, ensuring no pests because of the new moon and quality as bamboo is stronger when dry.

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SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) were evident in reforestation and biodiversity conservation. SDG 5 (Gender Equality) was reflected in women-led initiatives like beadwork and cultural tourism at Annah Rais.

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This was a day that challenged the Australian privileges of our group. Waiting hours for orangutans at Semenggoh challenged our instant-gratification mindset, I’m sure we were all thinking that this was a terrible business model but then, seeing six emerge was worth it.
I don’t think I would have changed that.
Another culture shock was village toilets and bedding, luxuries Australians (particularly MBA students) take for granted. But discomfort is part of authentic village life and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

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Sustainable development in Sarawak is deeply rooted in traditional practices, now complemented by modern science and business partnerships, proving sustainability is a way of life rather than a new concept.Læs mere