Dr Paul Chai, the senior forest botanist on the survey of the Gunung Mulu National Park by the RGS and the Sarawak Forestry Department in 1977-1978 gives an update on the park.
He will highlight past and future research opportunities for those visiting the magnificent limestone caves and tropical forests of this legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site.
About the Gunung Mulu expedition
Please join us to celebrate the original geographical and caving survey of the Gunung Mulu National Park by the Sarawak Forestry Department and the Society in 1977-78. This pioneering expedition, operating from ‘Long Pala’, the temporary longhouse on the river Melinau, in the pristine rainforests of Sarawak, Malaysia, brought together a multidisciplinary team of over 100 geographers, cavers, biologists and taxonomic scientists (notably the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Natural History Museum), from 11 different nations, to explore, document, and map the park’s remarkable karst systems, biodiversity, and unique ecosystems.
The survey led by Robin Hanbury-Tenison resulted in groundbreaking discoveries, including the mapping of some of the world’s largest cave chambers and passages, such as the iconic Sarawak Chamber and Clearwater Cave. This fieldwork was possible due to the skills and expertise of the local Berawan and Penan communities, who worked alongside the scientists, on foot operating from a network of sub-camps on Gunung Mulu and near the caves and sharp limestone pinnacles of Gunung Api. The scientific outputs from this expedition significantly contributed to our understanding of tropical karst landscapes, cave hydrology, and the ecological significance of the region’s flora and fauna.
The reunion will be an opportunity for members of the expedition to reconnect, share memories, and reflect on the lasting impact of their work. Presentations and discussions will revisit key achievements, such as the pioneering use of advanced caving techniques, the rich biodiversity catalogued, and the foundational role the expedition played in the designation of Gunung Mulu as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests will also enjoy updates on recent scientific studies in the park, showcasing how the legacy of the 1977-78 survey continues to inspire ongoing research and conservation efforts at the Park’s headquarters today.
Booking information
Monday night lectures are open to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership.
Attending in-person
- All Fellows and Members wanting to attend in person must pre-book a free ticket. You will receive an e-ticket with a QR code that will be scanned on arrival. Your ticket can be shown on a mobile phone or printed. If you do not have a smartphone, we can find your name on the door list instead.
- Doors open at 5.30pm. Please use the Society's entrance on Exhibition Road.
- Monday night lectures are held in person in the Ondaatje Theatre. The bar will be open in the Map Room before and after the lecture. Please be advised all payments are card only.
- The Ondaatje Theatre is fitted with a hearing loop. For the best quality sound we recommend sitting on the outside rows of the front seating section.
- There is step free access to the theatre. Wheelchair spaces can be booked in advance. If you have any questions about the venue, please contact events@rgs.org
Watch online
- You do not need to pre-book to watch the lecture online.
- All Monday night lectures are livestreamed via our website so you can watch them from wherever you are.
If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking, please email events@rgs.org
Venue information
This event will be held in the Ondaatje Lecture Theatre at Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR.
Doors open at 5.30pm. The lecture will begin at 6.30pm.
Plan your visit to the Society and find more information about our venue, including our address, accessibility and transport links.
About Monday night lectures
Our Monday night lectures are exclusive to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership. Members can book to attend the lectures in-person at the Society, or enjoy them live from the comfort of your own home.
These lectures are also recorded and uploaded to our website solely for members to catch up on whenever they like. If you would like to receive a weekly reminder email about the upcoming Monday night lecture, please sign up to our Updates about our Monday night lectures newsletter.
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