Piasau Nature Reserve is formerly was called Piasau Camp and was gazetted in 2013. The transfer of land rights from Sarawak Shell Berhard (SSB) to Sarawak Forestry Commission (SFC) is on 14 Oct 2015. This means that Piasau Camp has been accorded legislative protection against development, encroachment and poaching.
The reserve, which is 88.5ha in size, will be a green lung for the city. The area has records of a viable population of hornbills as well as being a refuge for other protected species. The reserve is most well known inhabitants are Oriental Pied hornbills.
The nature reserve has been known to have a small population of Oriental Pied hornbills and the first written record of the species at PNR dated back to 2005 and in 2017 the total hornbill population in PNR has increased to 24 birds.
Besides hornbills, the reserve is also rich in biodiversity, home to 75 fauna species including 17 species of fauna protected under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 45 species of birds (including hornbills), 25 species of mammals, 10 species of butterflies, 12 reptile species, 5 species of amphibians and 107 plant species, 79 species of mature trees and plants recorded.
The new complex will be completed by 2018 would serve as a one-stop information centre to showcase the past and present of the reserve, its biodiversity and the natural assets it has to offer.
The new visitors’ centre that will house, among other things, an administration office, exhibition gallery, gift shop, cafeteria and conference centre, represents the first phase of a restoration and development initiative at the reserve.
PNR is being developed according to the Gensler’s Masterplan, which is divided into three zones, namely Zone 1 designated as an out-of-bounds conservation zone, Zone 2 to be accessible to the public for outdoor activities while Zone 3 would comprise facilities for conservation and educational activities.
PNR Office : 085-644487
Usun Apau National Park (Waterfall)
Julan falls, as they are spectacular, remote and not often visited. There are many more falls around the Usun Apu plateau and the Selio river region has been visited hardly at all.
Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park (Reefs)
The park is close to Miri & is the best area in Sarawak for divers with reefs lying at depths from 7 to 30 metres and interesting wreck dive sites. Year round dive is possible but the best time to dive is from March to August.
Lambir Hills National Park (Waterfalls)
Lambir is only 32 km from Miri City. Lambir Hills National Park is thought to be one of the world’s most diverse forest eco-systems with a wide variety of plant, bird, insect, reptile and animal species. The park is also known for its waterfalls like Latuk Waterfall and Tengkorong Waterfall.
Loagan Bunut National Park (Lake)
Loagan Bunut is approximately 120km or 3 hours by road from Miri, with half the journey along gravel roads.
Loagan Bunut is home to about 87 species of trees, 4 species of pitcher plant, 80 species of herbs, 131 species of fungi taxon, 21 species of fish, 231 species of insect, 26 species of reptile, 92 species of bird, 23 species of amphibian and few species of mammalian like Sambar deer, Grey-leaf monkey and flat-headed cat. It is also home to an ethnic group that has been around for 5 generations called Berawan. Berawan has the privilege to collect fish, forest products and hunting under the Native Customary Rights.
However when the water level in the adjacent Tinjar river is low, the shallow lake can drain completely, leaving a huge expanse of dried and cracked mud.
Loagan Bunut is an extra-ordinary lake where water level fluctuates throughout the year, mostly from February and in late May or early June/July, in response to the fluctuation of water level in Sungai Teru, which is connected to the lake via narrow channel of Sugai Bunut. The water level will go as low as 0.5m up to 3-4m. This unique cycle of flood and drought has created a remarkable food chain which supports a large variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals.
Niah National Park (Caves)
Niah Cave is about 1 1/2 hour drive form Miri. Niah contains a vast cave complex swarming with bats and swiftlets. It's home to Homo sapiens is also one of Southeast Asia's oldest human settlement from 40,000 years ago with, ancient cave paintings, skulls and archaeological remains discovered. In the cave you'll see the homo sapiens skull on display along with tools made of stone, bones and iron. Also not to be missed cafe paintings of boats and human figures on the wall. Wooden coffin (death-ships) were also found. The rest of the artifacts are currently being exhibit at the Sarawak Museum in Kuching. The majestic rainforest is criss-crossed with walking trails.
Gunung Mulu National Park (Caves & Pinnacles)
This is probably Sarawak's number one natural attraction. Gunung Mulu National is a UNESCO World Heritage Site including the world's biggest caves, trekking (including the famous Pinnacles trail), canopy walks, and pristine rainforest. The park is not accessible by road and requires a short (and relatively expensive) flight from Miri to Mulu.
Bario Highlands (Highlands)
Laying at an altitude about 3,5000 feet above sea level in the northeastern corner of Sarawak. It’s a Kelabit territory, one of the minoring Orang Ulu tribes of Sarawak. Bario means ‘Wind’ in Kelabit language. (Correct pronunciation is ‘Bariew’).
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