Langkawi is not merely an archipelago; it is a geological masterpiece. In 2007, it was officially designated as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Southeast Asia. This status recognizes Langkawi’s 550 million years of history, preserved in its ancient rock ...[ read more ]
DEDICATED CUSTODIANS — GUARDIANS OF MALAYSIA’S HERITAGE
Originally published in Star Two (The Star) – 21 March 2007 | By Rubin Khoo In 2007, five individuals from diverse backgrounds were united by a common bond: their role as guardians of Malaysia’s rich heritage. Selected from a nationwide ...[ read more ]
TOURISM CAN SOAR WITH BIRDS — UNLOCKING THE NORTHERN FRONTIER
Originally published in the New Straits Times – 30 March 2007 | By Sean Augustin While established destinations like Taman Negara and Fraser’s Hill have long been the pillars of Malaysian birdwatching, the northern states—including Kedah, Perak, and Terengganu—possess immense ...[ read more ]
LOVE IS IN THE AIR — BIRD NESTING SEASON IN LANGKAWI
Field Notes by Sri Sari | Published February 2011 February in Langkawi marks the beginning of a spectacular natural phenomenon. As the dry season takes hold, the island's avian residents begin their elaborate courtship rituals. From the high canopies of ...[ read more ]
JOBS OF JOY — THE NATURALIST’S CALLING
Originally published in The Star – 16 June 2007 | By C.Y. Lee For Irshad Mobarak, the path to becoming Langkawi’s most prominent naturalist was paved with a radical shift in perspective. Once a corporate banker, Irshad left the financial ...[ read more ]
NATURALIST PAR EXCELLENCE — THE GUIDING FORCE OF JUNGLEWALLA
Our Leadership | Natural History & Conservation For over three decades, Irshad Mobarak - Naturalist has been at the forefront of nature conservation and education in Malaysia. A self-taught naturalist with a profound love for the archipelago’s biodiversity, Irshad has ...[ read more ]
STEERING LANGKAWI — NAVIGATING THE UNESCO GEOPARK
Media Archive | Featuring Irshad Mobarak - Naturalist In June 2003, journalist Deepak Gill joined Irshad Mobarak - Naturalist for an expedition that showcased a different side of the "Jewel of Kedah." In his feature titled "Steering Langkawi," Gill described ...[ read more ]
BANKING ON ECO-TOURISM — THE FOUNDATION OF RESPONSIBLE HOSPITALITY
Historical Feature | The Sun Daily (2001) In March 2001, Ian McIntyre of The Sun Daily captured a pivotal moment in Langkawi’s tourism history with the feature "Banking on Eco-Tourism." The article highlighted a bold move by the Mutiara Burau ...[ read more ]
FOREST TRUMP — THE BRIGADIER’S RECOMMENDATION
Media Archive | Featuring the Langkawi Archipelago (2003) In February 2003, travel writer Steven Cole documented his journey to one of Malaysia’s most storied landscapes in a feature titled "Forest Trump." The narrative began with a recommendation from a brigadier—a ...[ read more ]
EDGE OF DARKNESS — A JOURNEY INTO THE HAUNTED PAST
Media Archive | Narrative Travel History In the evocative feature "Edge of Darkness," journalist Stuart Wavell embarked on a deeply personal pilgrimage back to the landscapes of his youth in Malaysia. The story is one of shadows and secrets—centered around ...[ read more ]
ADVENTURE INTO NATURE — PRESERVING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE
Media Archive | Borneo Bulletin (January 1998) In a feature titled "Adventure into Nature" published in the Borneo Bulletin in January 1998, Irshad Mobarak - Naturalist spoke with journalist Maria about the burgeoning movement of ecotourism. Even then, Irshad recognized ...[ read more ]
MY VERY OWN SWAMP — CONSERVATION THROUGH REFORESTATION
Media Archive | Weekend Telegraph (April 1997) In April 1997, the Weekend Telegraph published an insightful feature by Paul Mansfield titled "My Very Own Swamp." The article provided a firsthand account of the critical work being done deep within the ...[ read more ]