Bau to have Ethnobotanical Park

0

KUCHING: A 16-acre reserve land, which lies next to the Redeems Center in Apar, Bau, will be turned into an Ethnobotanical Park.

FOR YOU: Chai (left) presents a souvenir to Nansian (second left) while Chong (right) presents another one to Yong.

FOR YOU: Chai (left) presents a souvenir to Nansian (second left) while Chong (right) presents another one to Yong.

Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (Redeems) president Datuk Peter Nansian said this was his personal project for the benefit of the people in the area.

He explained that the proposed park’s aim was to preserve trees, herbs, wild orchids and pitcher plants from becoming extinct.

“Currently, one tribal house (‘baruk’) and a four-room hotel are nearly completed. I plan to build more tribal houses and turn the area into a tribal village to be called `Singai Tribal Village’. As for the hotel, it will eventually be expanded to 20 rooms.

“I also plan to build tree houses for people to stay overnight and enjoy the natural environment. The lodgings are expected to be completed in the next two to three years,” he said.

Nansian, who is also Assistant Minister of Environment and state assemblyman for Tasik Biru, said this when met during the Sarawak Hopoh Association (SHA)’s installation dinner on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between SHA and Redeems whereby SHA would be given a few acres of land for the planting of crops at the Redeems Centre’s Bamboo Park.

Nansian said SHA could get help from China to develop their garden as they (Chinese) were more advanced on this matter.

“This is a pilot project, and we hope that foreign countries will build a garden at the park also so that one day we can have an International Bamboo Friendship Park,” he enthused.

He said Redeems also planned to have an Indian garden and Japanese garden for the public to enjoy.

Nansian said the 34-acre Redeems centre was opened to the public to enjoy walks or have picnics there.

“It is a virgin jungle and has been opened to the public for three years already. There is no charge for entrance and the place has no fence,” he said.

Also present at the dinner were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, SHA’s newly-elected president Chai Voon Tok and organising chariman Chong Thian Poh.