Mangrove Discovery Centre a plus for nature tourism in Sabah

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SANDAKAN: The newly-upgraded Mangrove Discovery Centre in Sepilok Laut, near here is slated to become another tourism attraction for Sabah, specifically the east coast town of Sandakan.

The centre, upgraded and completed on Jan 12 at a cost of RM1.04 million, is located 5.5 kilometres away via a jungle trail from the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.

Sabah Forestry Department director Datuk Sam Mannan said the centre aims to provide a unique and magnificent experience to visitors who will get to experience a natural mangrove habitat.

“A 700-metre Belian wood boardwalk connects the existing information centre to a camping site. Other facilities include resting areas, bridges and a multipurpose tower.

“The department plays an important role in operating and maintaining this centre, which is also in line with the Sustainable Forest Management principles,” he said in a statement issued here yesterday.

He said Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Beng and officers from the ministry’s development division recently visited various attractions in Sandakan, including the centre.

The purpose of the visit was to monitor the progress of tourism projects under the 10th Malaysia Plan in 2011 and 2012, mainly at the Sepilok area, which is one of the most important tourism spots in Sandakan.

Other tourism related projects under federal funding at a cost of RM12.54 million include upgrading work on facilities at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, the Sun Bear Conservation Project and the Heritage Forest park at the Rainforest Discovery Centre. — Bernama