Does Sulu Sultan own the Gomantong Caves?

Gomantong Caves are famous for its bird nest harvest. It is situated near Sandakan, Sabah.

Gomantong Caves consist of 3 caves namely Simud Hitam, Simud Putih and Bobong Bulud which are interconnnected.

The three caves are huge and occupied by two natural inhabitants. There are swiflets and bats. One can see the spectacular view in the evening when the bats move out from the caves in millions in the form of "smoke" seen from far. Slightly later the swiflets return from their day time foraging to the caves in almost the same strength.

The natives used to harvest the bird nests for sales to traders.

In 1881, the British North Borneo Chartered Company acquired Sabah and expelled the Sultan of Sulu. It claimed ownership of the Gomantong Caves. It introduced a tender system for the bird nest harvest. The harvestors had to declare its bird nests to administrators before sales to traders.

In 2000, the decendants of the heir of Gomantong Caves formed an action committee to claim its right of ownership from the Sabah government.

With the recent Sultan of Sulu claimed the ownership of Sabah, which creates tension in that region, may be the bird nest harvest will be delayed for a while.

Posted by Chai Yong of http://www.banyan-bird-nest.com