HOUSING IN TAWAU > Bandar Sri Indah >  BSI Eco-Park

BSI Eco-Park
(now the Forest Recreation + Public Ground)
Bandar Sri Indah
18Km from Tawau Town center

BSI Eco-Park is a recreation area of  Membalua Forest Reserve beside BSI Shopping Center. The original BSI Eco-Park consists of a natural lake (2 acres) and an Open Space (1 acres)

In 2011 Government's forest office took over the development of the 2 acres Lake area while the remaining 1 acres of Open Space remain as public ground of the residents.

The 2 acres of Lake Area is developed into today Membalua Recreation Area (TAMAN REKREASI HUTAN SIMPAN MEMBALUA) and is managed by Tawau District Forest Office.

During the early planning stage in the 2000 it was code named BIO ECO PARK. Later officially called BSI Eco Park. 

During 2020 and 2021, here was the original garden location of BSI ORCHID GARDEN. As the garden gradually took shape, it was felt that the location was too small  and hence moved to the present larger location in Lake Garden two km down the BSI Industrial Park.

BSI Eco-Park in 2008 when it was newly open to the public

The Eco-Park has a RM240,000 imported Australian tent at a landscaped Eco Park open space which can be used to host various functions and activities such as product exhibitions and special events.

BSI Eco-Park

BSI Eco-Park has a jungle trail in a forest reserve next to the Phase 2B shop offices.
The Eco-Park has a RM240,000 imported Australian tent at a landscaped Eco Park open space which can be used to host various functions and activities such as product exhibitions and special events.

Many species of dragonflies and damselflies can be observed in B.S.I. Eco Park.

Hap Seng Company, the developer, preserved the wet land at the Forest Reserve border area. Dragonflies are found at these permanent water sites. Many species of dragonflies and damselflies are found in the wet land of B.S.I. Eco-Park. Dragonfly watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies among natural lovers in Malaysia.

BSI Eco-Park

This natural lake  was formally part of BSI Eco-park, since 2010 the lake has been juridical to Tawau's Forest Office to develop into a Forest Recreation Park for the public.

Before 2008, the Lake location was a mountain stream flowing with clear stream water. This stream was blocked during development of the BSI Shop Lots in 2000 and gradually formed into a natural lake today for public recreation. When this area was still a mountain stream, the stream was flourish with many species of dragonflies and damselflies. Today these dragonflies continue to trive in this newly formed natural lake.

Most of the commonly seen dragonfly species in BSI Eco Park belong to the family Libellulidae. They are thriving very well in the ponds and streams within this landscaped park. The park is a piece of reclaimed land beside a forest reserve under the protection of Sabah Forestry. Because of the park easy access it managed to establish itself as one of the best spots for checking out dragonflies in Tawau.
 

This striking Ictinogomphus decoratus was spotted on 4 May 2008 in BSI Eco Park. Ictinogomphus species are large dragonfly and breed in standing water like this pond in the photo. I. decoratus in particular inhabits ponds and lakes and they are the most commonly seen gomphid dragonflies in Sabah.

Dragonflies from the family Gomphidae are sensitive to environmental degradation and these sensitive dragonflies are found only in natural water bodies.

There are 23 recorded gomphid species in Borneo. Gomphids' pair of eyes is well separated and this is one of the features differentiating them from other dragonfly families.

A few natural sedge ponds in BSI were filled for development. In return the housing estate installed this Eco-Park where many of the dragonflies species such as this I. decoratus can continue to survey and not to lose another location which supports good dragonfly diversity.

The following species of dragonflies are found in BSI Eco-Park:

Rhyothemis phyllis phyllis (Sulzer, 1776)

Rhyothemis triangularis  (Kirby, 1889)
An unmistakable species, perching low over water. Lakes, and sluggish streams in swampy forest. Widespread in Sundaland and mainland tropical Asia...
 

Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur, 1842)
Easily mistaken as an Orthetrum. Found in weedy pond. Not common in Malaysia.

Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839)

Neurothemis fluctuans  (Fabricius, 1793)

Neurothemis terminata terminata Ris, 1911
 

Neurothemis ramburii ramburii (Kaup in Brauer, 1866)
 

Orthetrum sabina sabina (Drury, 1770)
 

Some of the common dragonflies and damselflies in Eco Park of Bandar Sri Indah:

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