Merimbun Lake (Malay: Tasek Merimbun) is the largest natural lake in Brunei. It is located near Mukim Rambai in the Tutong District, about 70 km from the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.[1] The S-shaped lake is located 27 km from Tutong Town and it is surrounded by the 7800-hectare Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park.
| Merimbun Lake | |
|---|---|
 Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park | |
  Merimbun Lake | |
| Location | Brunei-Muara, Brunei |
| Coordinates | 4°35′38″N 114°40′38″E / 4.5939749°N 114.6770941°E |
| Basin countries | Brunei |
| Max. length | 500 m (1,600 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 88 m (289 ft) |
| Islands | Jurundung Labi-Labi |
Etymology
editSources claim that the Dusun Brunei have lived in Merimbun for longer than a few hundred years. The place was allegedly discovered by Imbun, who the Dusuns claimed was the son of a Village head from Merangking Hilir a village in the Belait District Ulu Belait. It is said that he came across this lovely lake while out hunting. He learned that the area had enough of food, including wild animals in the neighboring forest and fish in the lake. He moved there with his family, and several of his village neighbors soon followed. As a memorial to the founder, Imbun, the Tasek and its surroundings have come to be known as Tasek Merimbun throughout time.[2]
The origin of the name Merimbun is intriguing in more than one way, though. As the Dusun people settled the region, it is believed that traders would travel there to provide commodities. Eng Boon, a Chinese person, was one such merchant. According to legend, this Eng Boon is where the name Merimbun ultimately came from from his middle name .[2]
History
editThe settlement of hunter-gatherers was self-sufficient until modern roads and infrastructure arrived, and their way of life revolved on the lake and everything it could provide. The ruins of a sacred ancestor site were found on Pulau Jelundong, and Tasek Merimbun is thought to be one of the first Dusun villages in Tutong.[3]
Physical environment and facilities
editTasek Merimbun is very dark in color; a phenomenon generated by tannin coming from leaves falling into the water. The lake supports a rich variety of fauna including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Visitors can hire a boat to take them around to explore the lake and its two islands. There is a small island in the center body of water that can be reached via a wooden walkway. Here, picnic pavilion facilities fashioned from logs enhance the enjoyment of this restful spot. Chalet facilities for researchers are available nearby.[4]
ASEAN Heritage Park
editIn 1967, the first Director of the Brunei Museums Department suggested Tasek Merimbun as a valuable asset and a potential Wildlife Sanctuary. A survey on Tasek Merimbun's bio-diversity and socio-economic activities conducted in 1983-84 led to the discovery of a rare White-collared Fruit Bat. This discovery was a major reason for the 29 November 1984 designation of Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park as the first ASEAN Heritage Park.[5]
Important Bird Area
editThe park has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because its forest and freshwater wetland habitats support endangered Storm's storks.[6]
The park is home to a number of rare and endangered species. They are endangered as humans hunt them down in other country and the temperature in other country might be too cold or to hot for them. During winter, those animals from other country come to this heritage park to enjoy the heat in this park.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Museums Department. (2010). Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park. BSB: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
- ^ a b Mohd Yunos, Rozan (2013). SEMINAR UNITED NATIONS GROUP OF EXPERTS ON GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES ASIA, SOUTHEAST DIVISION (PDF). p. 17.
- ^ Wasil, Wardi (2018-09-21). "The white crocodile of Tasek Merimbun and the custodian of the lake". The Scoop. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
- ^ "ACB: Forests and people intertwined for development". BusinessMirror. March 31, 2019.
- ^ Museums Department. (2010). Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park. BSB: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
- ^ "Tasek Merimbun". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
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