Collaborators Behind the Vision of Genting Nature Adventures (GNA)
From environmental champions to creative endeavours, from trail experts to tech pioneers, each contributor to Genting Nature Adventures (GNA) brings a distinct voice to the conversation. What binds them is not profession or background, but a common intent: to foster deeper connections between people and the living world around them. Every collaboration adds texture to GNA’s ongoing story. These thoughtful acts reinforce the idea that sustainability begins with awareness and evolves through cooperation.
Climbing Towards Environmental Stewardship
Fondly known as Ravi Everest, Ravichandran Tharumalingam is no stranger to extreme altitudes. As Malaysia’s first solo climber to summit Mount Everest on 15th May 2006, and the first Malaysian to conquer both Everest and K2, the highest and second-highest mountains in the world, Ravi’s feats are legendary. But today, his focus has shifted from scaling peaks to protecting the natural world.
Leading the Global Expedition Club (GEC), Ravi guides aspiring mountaineers while championing environmental responsibility. His involvement with GNA marks a new chapter, one that blends exploration with education.
Ravi was invited to the highland trails and quickly saw the potential. “There’s so much biodiversity here that deserves protection,” he says. After seeing how rich and unique the nature around Genting Highlands is, Ravi is now working with GNA to start a hiking academy that teaches people how to hike safely and how to look after the environment while doing it.
He believes hikers play a vital role. “We’re there more often than rangers or researchers. We can be the guardians.” Through guided hikes and awareness programmes, Ravi hopes to empower visitors to observe, report, and care for the trails they walk.
This partnership benefits both sides – GNA gains a respected mountaineer-cum-educator, while Ravi finds a platform to instil his passion for responsible adventure. Grounded in Malaysia, yet inspired by his global climbs, Ravi continues to lead by example. For him, the real summit is not the mountain top, but the future we protect together.
Art Meets Nature
Quilljoy Endeavours’ collaboration with GNA began almost three years ago, shaped by a mutual commitment to connecting people with nature. Founded by husband-and-wife team Chow and Karen, Quilljoy is a creative arts initiative that uses handcrafted papercraft to promote environmental awareness and foster community engagement.
In partnership with GNA, Quilljoy developed a nature journal logbook designed for children. More than just a notebook, it invites users to slow down, observe, and reflect while walking the trails.
They also run papercraft workshops, where participants create nature-inspired art based on the surroundings they explore. Handmade souvenirs and GNA-themed gifts are also part of Quilljoy’s contribution, each thoughtfully crafted to reflect the essence of the highlands.
This creative partnership enhances GNA’s outdoor experiences by adding an artistic and educational layer. For Quilljoy, it’s a meaningful way to extend their impact, bringing their craft into spaces where learning, creativity, and conservation come together.
Guided by the belief that “art inspires, it brings people to an awareness of nature,” Quilljoy continues to combine artistry with purpose – designing with care, intention, and deep respect for the natural world.
Nature as Medicine
A simple family holiday at Resorts World Awana for Dr. Clement Ng Shin Kiat and his family in June 2023 evolved into something more meaningful: a meeting of minds connected by GNA Department Manager Eddie Chan’s quiet dedication to nature and learning.
He was struck by the sincerity behind the initiative of GNA, one that aligned closely with his lifelong mission: fusing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with modern wellness and sustainability.
As founder of TCMandYou Pte. Ltd. and President of the Singapore Acupuncture Association, Dr. Clement brings decades of experience in TCM education and integrative health. Naturally, a deeper collaboration followed.
In March 2025, he was invited to contribute to GNA’s Conference of Experts and Collaborators. At the first workshop on 25th May, he presented “Nature as Medicine – The Interdependence of Biodiversity and Traditional Chinese Medicine”, drawing connections between GNA’s environmental pillars and TCM’s ecological foundations.
“This partnership allows me to show how traditional health wisdom can enhance nature-based education,” he shares. “It’s a chance to offer GNA visitors a richer, more meaningful experience, one that’s both steeped in heritage and relevant to today’s world.”
For Dr. Clement, the collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to cross-cultural knowledge, ecological responsibility, and the universal gift of health. “As a Singaporean, working with GNA strengthens regional ties and reminds us that healing begins with understanding our place in nature.”
A Smarter Way to Explore
For Won Yee How, bringing technology into the forest is a creative challenge. As the founder of Signature Creative Studio PLT, he has spent over two decades at the intersection of design and innovation, crafting digital experiences that inform, inspire, and delight.
Won’s journey with GNA dates back long before the initiative took on its current form. He’s worked closely with GNA’s Department Manager, Eddie Chan, for nearly 20 years, lending support when Eddie first began exploring Genting Highlands’ natural landscape back in 2013, based on a common vision that nature and technology can move forward together.
Those early efforts have since flourished into what we now know as Genting Nature Adventures. “We’ve always envisioned a way for people to engage more deeply with nature through digital means,” Won explains. “It started with QR codes and NFC, and now it’s grown into something far more seamless and immersive.”
That vision is taking shape through the Smart Forest mobile app, a forward-thinking tool designed to enhance visitors’ interaction with the forest. Instead of scanning clunky QR codes, users can simply point their smartphone camera at a visual marker. Instantly, intuitive callouts appear on-screen, identifying species and offering rich, interactive content. It’s an elegant solution that elevates both aesthetic appeal and user engagement.
“When people are engaged, they ask questions. They slow down. They notice things,” says Won. “That’s the kind of experience we want to create.”
The Smart Forest app strengthens GNA’s mission to promote sustainable, knowledge-based tourism. “Personally, and professionally, this project has allowed me to test new technologies in real-world settings,” he adds. “It’s helped us at Signature Creative Studio explore fresh ways to tell stories and connect people to place, while also opening up new opportunities for future applications.”
Raised on design principles but always thinking a few steps ahead, Won sees every project as a canvas for exploration. His collaboration with GNA is not just about digital tools. It’s about reimagining how we connect with the world around us. In doing so, he is helping visitors see the forest in an entirely new light.
Guided By Butterflies
Akira Sato, affectionately known as Sato-san, has become a familiar presence in Genting Highlands. A butterfly specialist and nature educator from Japan, he serves as the insect supervisor at Happy Bee Farm, where his days are spent observing the small wonders of the natural world and sharing that knowledge with others.
For years, Sato-san has guided Japanese schoolchildren from international schools in Kuala Lumpur through the forest trails of Genting Highlands. His soft-spoken manner and deep respect for nature have left lasting impressions, especially among the young.
In one touching moment, a group of children surprised him with a handmade appreciation booklet, filled with drawings and messages, a quiet reflection on the impact of his teachings.
He first came to know GNA around two years ago, during one of these school activities. There, he met GNA Department Manager Eddie Chan, who later invited him to join GNA as a butterfly specialist. Since then, Sato-san has shared his expertise with the team, offering advice and insight whenever visitors have questions about butterflies, bees or other insects.
His collaboration with GNA is a natural extension of his life’s work. It allows him to continue guiding others, nurturing curiosity, and helping both children and adults see nature not just with their eyes, but with thoughtful appreciation.
Telling the GNA Story
A veteran journalist with The Rakyat Post, Fernando Fong was drawn to GNA’s commitment to eco-friendly adventure: a rare blend of tourism, education, and conservation. As someone who has spent 17 years writing about human interest, environment, and tourism, Fernando saw in GNA a story that deserved to be told.
Today, his role involves writing news and feature articles about GNA’s events, programmes, and conservation work. He also attends and reports on launches and activities, helping readers understand GNA’s mission in clear, relatable terms.
For GNA, being featured in The Rakyat Post means reaching new audiences and strengthening its public image. For The Rakyat Post, it provides meaningful content aligned with its focus on responsible tourism.
Personally, Fernando finds the work rewarding. Covering GNA sharpens his environmental reporting, expands his network, and allows him to support causes he believes in.
Based in Klang Valley, Fernando is passionate about sustainable tourism, local communities, and making environmental stories accessible. Working with GNA reflects those values. “They’re not just showing people nature,” he says. “They’re helping them care about it. That’s a story worth telling.”
Leading With Experience
Kenny Ng, Operations Manager at Han Travel Sdn. Bhd. and ESG consultant, has been involved in ecotourism since the 1980s, when Taman Negara was still largely off-grid and visitors relied on outdated guidebooks to find their way. That early experience shaped his belief that information and logistics are the backbone of meaningful eco-travel.
Since 2022, Kenny has collaborated with GNA by sharing his expertise through volunteer consultation. He offers guidance on operations, helps shape ecotourism narratives, and contributes to guest education with materials that highlight forest biodiversity and structure.
He’s especially passionate about knowledge-based tourism, where visitors engage all five senses and gain a deeper understanding of the rainforest’s layers, from cool Montane heights to lush Lowland floors. His practical input also includes logistics planning and outreach tools such as biodiversity handbooks and banners to improve accessibility and awareness.
For Kenny, this collaboration offers valuable exposure and furthers his mission of making nature education central to tourism. Through GNA, he continues to connect people with the forest – thoughtfully, responsibly, and with lasting purpose.
A Life Guided by The Environment
Kenny Ng’s sister, Angie Ng, has spent years leading travellers through Taman Negara and Gunung Tahan, two of Malaysia’s most treasured rainforests. Known for her deep knowledge and love for the wild, she believes low-impact tourism starts with guides who truly care for the trails they walk.
After the pandemic, Angie discovered GNA and was immediately drawn to its forest trails and biodiversity. A visit with Department Manager Eddie Chan left a lasting impression. The trails were rich, the air crisp, and the conservation efforts sincere. She even considered joining GNA as a Park Ranger.
Though not formally part of the team, Angie continues to support GNA by sharing its story with her tour guests. Her involvement is personal, yet powerful. As a director of NKS Hotel & Travel Sdn. Bhd. based in Jerantut, she sees future potential in bringing GNA programmes to their Chinese market.
Despite her position, Angie prefers being known simply as a nature guide. She’s also the only Chinese woman licensed to guide up Gunung Tahan. Overnight treks are her favourite; the forest, her second home.
Her collaboration with GNA is built on mutual goals: conservation, education, and love for the land. With every step, Angie continues to inspire others to respect and protect Malaysia’s natural heritage.
Reconnecting with Nature Through Water
For Eric Choong, Director of Sales at Pegasus Aqua Sdn. Bhd., the forest is more than just a scenic backdrop. It’s a source of inspiration, discovery, and natural wellbeing. His collaboration with GNA reflects a common vision: that nature still holds powerful secrets, especially when it comes to water.
What began as a corporate association between Pegasus Aqua and GNA soon evolved into a purposeful partnership, united by a mutual pursuit of sustainable, nature-based wellness solutions.
Central to this collaboration is MRET-activated water, developed through Molecular Resonance Effect Technology. This patented process uses low-frequency electromagnetic fields to restructure water at the molecular level, mimicking the natural vibrations found in pristine spring water.
Currently under scientific study for its potential in health, agriculture, and environmental applications, MRET water represents a new approach to hydration: one that respects both science and nature.
Pegasus Aqua sees the untouched rainforest surrounding GNA as the perfect setting to explore this potential. There is a long-standing belief that such forests may contain natural sources of healing water. For centuries, people have searched for “the fountain of youth” hidden in places just like this. With GNA’s support, Pegasus Aqua hopes to reconnect modern visitors with that ancient wonder.
By introducing MRET-activated water to the GNA experience, visitors can explore both traditional healing practices and modern water science in one meaningful encounter with nature. This collaboration also aligns with the vision of its leadership: to promote longevity and wellness through nature-aligned innovation.
Building with Nature
From the beginning, it was clear to Benjamin Cheam, Project Director at Go Advantes Sdn. Bhd., that GNA valued more than just development. They championed harmony with nature. These aligned values between GNA and Go Advantes Sdn. Bhd. shaped their collaboration during the year-long renovation of Resorts World Awana.
Set in a lush, biodiverse setting, the transformation wasn’t just about upgrading rooms. It was about rethinking how to build. Benjamin’s team approached the project with care and intent.
Over 70% of the furniture was made modular and movable, allowing future changes with minimal waste. Instead of demolition, they chose to retain and repurpose wherever possible, preserving electrical systems, refurbishing fire-rated doors, and reducing landfill-bound materials.
Equally important was the commitment to preserving the site’s natural beauty. Not a single tree was removed unnecessarily. The existing tree line remained intact, giving guests the joy of waking to birdsong and views of butterflies flitting past their balconies. Additionally, for every room renovated, a new tree was planted to symbolise a quiet give-and-take with nature.
Working alongside GNA brought added depth to the project. Wildlife encounters were handled gently, reinforcing that even on a worksite, coexistence is possible.
One Unified Connection to Mother Earth
What binds these ten collaborators is more than just expertise. It’s a collective belief that nature is not merely to be admired but cared for. It calls for stewardship. Through their diverse contributions, Genting Nature Adventures (GNA) has evolved into a vibrant initiative where knowledge, creativity, and compassion meet. Each collaborator adds his or her rhythm to the forest, shaping experiences that are thoughtful and lasting. Together, they remind us that meaningful change often begins in the background with consistent care, patient effort, and action to protect what truly matters.
