The flanks of Kinabalu
are inhibited by the local Kadazandusun
people, hill farmers who practice shifting cultivation. Traditional
crops such as hill rice, tapioca and sweet potatoes are still
grown
extensively, but in the 50's the introduction of temperate vegetable
farming was started and changed the way of life for many. By 1958 the
government approved list of vegetables included cabbages, carrots,
french beans, celery, capsicums and tomatoes. Today, roses
and chrysanthemums and other cut flowers are also grown.
Hill farming is
still practiced, the main crops now being rice and pineapples - the
roadside stalls at the small town of Kundasang,
six kilometers (ten miles) beyond Kinabalu Park HQ
are daily loaded down with local produce. The Kinabalu Park
and the tourist industry are also major employers, and the sale of
handicrafts and souvenirs has also become a popular source of income
for local people.
Kundasang vegetable
stalls. They also have roses (bottom right).
Different types and
colour of rice. Black, brown or white rice? You choose.
Row above: Different
types of rice. You would not get it anywhere else. Row
below: Tuhau (on the left) and
preserved fish (on the right), local Kadazandusun dishes.
Many of the plants within and around the edges of
the Kinabalu Park
are still used by the Kadazandusun
for medicine, food, fuel, construction and handicrafts. In 1992 the Kinabalu Ethnobotanical
Project
was started by the Kinabalu Park staff. The purpose of this was to
collate information on the plants
used by the Kadazandusun
people. By 1998, when the project was wound down, more than 9,000
specimens had been collected. The results show that traditional
medicine is still the main recourse for many people who fall sick, with
31% of the plants recorded being used this way.
KINABALU
is a
magnet to travelers and a symbol of
conservation and wilderness for natural history enthusiasts and
biologists the world over. Ever since Hugh Low
made the first
documented climb of Kinabalu
in 1851 and recorded some of its plant and
animal life, an impressive retinue of botanists, zoologists and
ecologists has continued to make exciting discoveries of many strange
and newly found species. In spite of an increasing tourist
traffic, the conservation functions of the Kinabalu Park
continue undisturbed.
Both educational and conservation roles of the Kinabalu Park
continue
to be important aspects, for on this one mountain alone are more than
4000 species of vascular plants, thousands of insect forms, more than
300 bird species and 100 mammals, and many other life forms. Many of
the species are endemic (i.e., unique) to this mountain, and
evidence
accrues of active ongoing evolution among many plants and animals
on Kinabalu.
This wonderful mountain is Malaysia's
- and probably Southeast
Asia's
- most spectacular natural landmark and one of Asia's
most important biological sites.
Miss out one important team member. Pretty Cherie Chong! The only girl in our team.
Jonathan Kuala Lumpur
Posted at 4:06pm on Thursday, June 26th, 2008
Our team will reach there on 24 Aug 2008.
Handsome Jerry, Andy, Wai Seong, Jun Sian and Me
We aim the peak together!!
Brad Tokyo
Posted at 9:12am on Saturday, May 10th, 2008
Any locals to Kota Kinabalu know of a place to buy climbing gear (pants, head torch, etc)? Please email me at bradley.campbell@c7f.navy.mil
catherine teron cheras,selangor
Posted at 2:44am on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
never been to kota kinabalu or mount kinabalu.want to 'attack'sabah next year...first 2 visit..mount kinabalu..
Jane Olivia LONDON
Posted at 10:39am on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
i really love climbing the mountain. it was really great at there. kundasang also have a nice view with so many friendly peoples.
mohd rozaini tawau
Posted at 4:26pm on Sunday, December 23rd, 2007
kenapa tidak tunjukkan gerai sayur dengan lebih jelas..
Dhice Philippines
Posted at 2:31pm on Saturday, August 18th, 2007
I like this country. I Expect t have so many Friends when im there..
munir kuala lumpur
Posted at 5:41pm on Sunday, August 12th, 2007
just came back from kinabalu last week...very recommend for the 1st time climber use mesilau trial and back through timpohon trail...even from mesilau need to take almost a full day climbing but u'll see a nice view from there...
thanks to God to let me reach a summit with a gd weather...
Leong YF Sg. Petani Malaysia
Posted at 10:16pm on Saturday, August 4th, 2007
I saw some people with leg cramp along the way up from Timpohon trail. Be prepare to bring along some Oral Rehydration Salt in case you need it. There is no paramedic to help you when in trouble. all on your own.
