Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (right) touring the Wild Orchid Garden while listening to a briefing by Sabah Parks ranger Benidict Joseph Busin at the Gunung Alab Substation. - Pic courtesy of SABAH TOURISM BOARD
Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (right) touring the Wild Orchid Garden while listening to a briefing by Sabah Parks ranger Benidict Joseph Busin at the Gunung Alab Substation. - Pic courtesy of SABAH TOURISM BOARD

TAMBUNAN: Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai Bangkuai says there is a market for "lung-cleansing" tourism products as locals were eager to explore Sabah's natural attractions during pandemic.

"We must continuously develop lung-cleansing tourism because of its importance.

"It inspires the people as well as the local community to reconnect with nature and protect our environment," he said, adding it provided a source of income to villagers involved in the tourism industry.

Among the popular districts known for their potential lung-cleansing tourism products are Kadamaian, Kiulu, Ranau, and Tambunan.

Joniston said this after trekking the Gunung Alab Substation to experience the lung-cleansing trails along with Sabah Tourism Board (STB) deputy general manager (finance and rural products division) Julianus Jimit, and other tourism players.

"Apart from working with the relevant agency within the Ministry, STB is always working with district office tourism committees to identify more areas for such back-to-nature products," he said.

Gunung Alab, located in the Crocker Range Park with temperatures ranging 11-18 degree Celcius, is one of Sabah's best lung-cleansing destinations and a getaway for adventure seekers.

Within the trails there are several waterfalls to provide visitors a rich "forest bathing" experience - a term and concept used in Japan that means spending mindful time in nature to improve health and wellbeing.

There are three waterfalls along its 1.5km trail namely Kitomoling Sokid, Kitomoling Tengah, and Kitomoling Siba.

To reach Mahua waterfall will require trekkers to walk and climb through a 12km trail in about eight hours, passing Minduk Sirung peak that sits 2,075m above sea level.

"Many locals and international tourists have trekked this trail to enjoy the fresh air and nature. There are camping grounds along the trail and some trekkers will opt to camp in the forest," said Sabah Parks ranger Benidict Joseph Busin.

Busin, who manages the Gunung Alab Substation, said visitors could also go on a short tour to learn about orchid plants at the Wild Orchid Garden managed by Sabah Parks.

He said Sabah housed more than 6,000 wild orchid species and that many could be found at Gunung Alab.

"We have collected some of the species in deep forest and replanted them in the garden so visitors can view them up-close. The garden has over 100 orchid species.

"About two years ago, we discovered a new species and named it Thrixspermum benidicti," he said.

The Wild Orchid Garden, built among forest trees, features a 400m walking platform that surrounds the park for the convenience of visitors.