TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

The attractions of Padang Teratak Wetlands, Beaufort are:

Forest
The forest there is taken care and managed by Sabah Forestry Department. Sabah Forestry Department plays an important role in planning, managing and enforcing forestry laws and practices with respect to wetlands. One of the functions of Sabah Forestry Department forest is to preserve and conserve the flora that is available there. Tourist can view and appreciate nature’s beauty of the flora while walking through the walkway in the forest. Sabah Agricultural Department together with Sabah Tourism Board can work together to develop and manage the crops of the area such as oil palm, that has been attempted in some wetland areas.

Monkeys (Orang Utan)
Ministry of Tourism Development, Environment, Science and Technology acts as an umbrella for the above departments in managing the protected areas of tourism and wildlife. The Ministry of Tourism together with Sabah Tourism Board makes sure that this site is taken care of and that this species is taken care by the appropriate department. Under the Ministry the Sabah Wildlife Department carries out the management and protection of wildlife habitat. This department can work together with World Wide Fund (WWF) Malaysia, to protect this species.

River Cruise (Boat Ride)
Sabah parks under the ministry and Sabah Tourism Board manages and protects this natural area of this site, which includes the riverine and coastal areas. This area acts as an attraction to attract tourist. By tourist going on the cruise they can enjoy the ride and the nature’s beauty, just by going on the cruise. Besides that through the cruise the tourist not only enjoy the flora but the can also have a beautiful view and experience by having a good view of the whole area, watching the fireflies, orang utans, the forest and the whole area. The management can offer kayaking and market it as one of their river activities for this destination

Eating
There is an area provided for eating. This eating area allows tourist to have their meals at a convenient place where all of them can gather at a time for their meals. Tourist can also rest and relax here before, after and while having their meals.

Bird Watching / Fireflies
Sabah Wildlife Department under the ministry carries out the management and protection of the wildlife sanctuaries, the bird sanctuaries and conservation area with important resources such as from the Kota Belud Bird Sanctuaty. This department can build an observation platform for fireflies and bird watchers. This platform can give tourist a stable area to view the fireflies and birds rather than from viewing it from the boat itself, the tourist don’t get to focus on a firefly but they see it as a flock of birds. By having a platform this can allow the tourist to take photographs and it might be the first time for the tourist seeing a firefly or that species of bird. The platform would give tourist a better and clearer view of the firefly.

Outdoor Activities
The management area can offer part of the area for camping and offer outdoor and theme building activities and open it to the tourist. Those activities can include camping, firefox, absailing. This activities can act as theme building activities for groups of tourist, students, company and family events, it can serve as theme building events and it those activities can also be done for family or annual company theme building events. This activities can attract tourist and locals to come to Padang Teratak and use these facilities for their theme building purpose and at the same time this management of Padang Teratak can promote and market other attractions of this area and at the same time they would be able to influence tourist to visit and explore other attractions of this area.

Paddy Farming
Padang Teratak Wetlands, can use a portion of their area for paddy farming and plantation of crops. The paddy fields can be an attraction for tourist especially for international tourist, who do not eat rice. By visiting the paddy fields they would learn and know that rice is the staple food for Malaysians. Sabah Agriculture Department is responsible to oversee this area in relations to wetlands, the department is an important influence on the amount and distribution of land for paddy farming and advice on other crops and their suitability on land that has an important constrains for hydrological constrains for agriculture.

Aquaculture Ponds for Prawns and Fishes
The Sabah Fisheries Department is an important source in planning and advising the fisheries production schemes, in saline environment, brackish in in fresh water. The production of prawns and fishes through aquaculture can be an attraction to tourist. The ponds are usually owned by the private sectors, or it can be a collaboration with the government agencies, such as Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia or Ko-Nelayan.Sabah Fisheries Deparment can open up a portion of the fresh water for fishing and the fishes and prawns can be also sold and marketed.