KUCHING: The Tourism Ministry is studying
the possibility of providing sliding craft, similar to the one
used in wetlands, to tourists visiting Pulau Bruit bird sanctuary,
said its Minister, Dato Sri Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg.
"Just like the sleigh used in the
snow, we want to invent something like that for the swampy area."
He told the Tribune in an exclusive interview yesterday.
According to him, the craft would be
used to transport visitors of the wetland to the boat terminal
to give them a new dimension of experience.
"We want them to slide down on the
swamp to the boat before they go out to watch the birds, and
where else can they experience this' he said.
He noted that the ministry's permanent
secretary had been assigned to look into project, the first
of its kind in this country.
The minister said necessary logistic
arrangement would be made to market Pulau Bruit as a center
for watching migratory birds without sacrificing its natural
landscape.
"We would not carry out development
that would disturb its originality but would link Pulau Bruit
with Matu and sell the two together as a product that blends
nature and local cultures."
To make it even more interesting, Abang
Johari said visitors would be brought to visit the 'super-high'
Melanau traditional longhouse in Matu, adding that some allocation
had been approved to carry out the project. He declined to give
the exact figure.
On Gunung Serapi look out point, he said
the project would be said the project would be completed by
next year.
He pointed out that the RM600,000 project
would offer an opportunity to tourists have a panoramic view
of the city, sea and natural forest.
"One would be able to view Kuching,
Pulau Talang-Talang and Gunung Gading National Parks."
Abang Johari said a heavy duty 4,000cc
vehicle would be provided to carry visitors to the look-out
point. The journey would take about 15 minutes and a café
which could cater for 40 people would be provided at the look-out
point, he said, adding that the place would be much higher than
the KL towers.
"Gunung Serapi is about 3,000 feet
above sea level and it is much higher than the KL towers,"
he said.
