Hornbills and history meet at Miri’s Piasau Nature Reserve

Miri, Sarawak is home to the Piasau Nature Reserve, an area once a shell residential enclave that has since been transformed into a protected green space. Built by Shell in the 1950s to house senior employees, the community comprised around 250 residences, an international school, and the Piasau Boat Club. However, the focus now is on conservation.

Much of the former camp has been returned to nature, with efforts underway to restore rainforest vegetation and protect its flora and fauna. The reserve has been divided into sections planted with distinct gardens, including mixed species, ficus, herbal, fruit tree, and Piasau gardens. One of the surviving Shell-era bungalows offers a glimpse into the area's former life.

Older Miri residents may remember the area better as Piasau Camp. Today, visitors can explore the reserve via tarmac roads or three short walking routes: the Community Trail, 370m Jimmy Trail, and the 97m Juliet Trail. Hornbills, particularly the Oriental pied hornbills, are the reserve's most celebrated inhabitants. A famous pair, Jimmy and Faridah, had produced 56 offspring over the years before Faridah was tragically killed by poachers in 2013.

This led to the establishment of Piasau Nature Reserve and its declaration as a Totally Protected Area. Jimmy later found a mate, Juliet, and together they produced seven offspring over four nesting cycles.

Hornbills have profound cultural significance in Sarawak, particularly among Dayak communities, who have traditionally associated them with the spiritual world and accorded them considerable respect. The rhinoceros hornbill, also known as the magnificent hornbill, appears on the state crest and remains a recognizable natural symbol. Piasau's conservation story reflects the broader attempt to restore an ecosystem.

The reserve remains a testament to the industrial history, community memory, and returning rainforest, all coming together in an easy outing close to Miri. Visitors are advised to bring insect repellent as they explore the reserve, which sits on valuable coastal land.