SEMPORNA, SABAH: Keep Sipadan pristine!
This was the unanimous vote among international divers when asked to comment on plans to build tourist facilities on the island, renowned as a marine wonderland.
Mellisa Bunyan from Britain said, facilities need not be built on the island, as it is not far from the mainland.
“It is quite enough for most people to bring simple packed lunches over to the island, so a big restaurant or clubhouse is really not necessary.
“Keen divers will always come back to Sipadan even without proper tourist facilities,” said the 34-year-old former sales director, who was on a diving holiday to the island.
The State Government is reviewing plans for tourist facilities on the island, after a barge laden with construction material damaged 372 square metres of coral in the area.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat had said that the construction material was for a RM5 million project on the island, which would include the building of a restaurant-cum-clubhouse, scuba shop and quarters for the army and Sabah Parks staff.
While the contractor was not fined for the damage and the contract was not terminated, the design of the building is said to have gone back to the drawing board to reduce its environmental impact.
This was the unanimous vote among international divers when asked to comment on plans to build tourist facilities on the island, renowned as a marine wonderland.
Mellisa Bunyan from Britain said, facilities need not be built on the island, as it is not far from the mainland.
“It is quite enough for most people to bring simple packed lunches over to the island, so a big restaurant or clubhouse is really not necessary.
“Keen divers will always come back to Sipadan even without proper tourist facilities,” said the 34-year-old former sales director, who was on a diving holiday to the island.
The State Government is reviewing plans for tourist facilities on the island, after a barge laden with construction material damaged 372 square metres of coral in the area.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat had said that the construction material was for a RM5 million project on the island, which would include the building of a restaurant-cum-clubhouse, scuba shop and quarters for the army and Sabah Parks staff.
While the contractor was not fined for the damage and the contract was not terminated, the design of the building is said to have gone back to the drawing board to reduce its environmental impact.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
No comments:
Post a Comment