Friday, May 13, 2016

Sarawak Tourism Board plants trees at Piasau Nature Reserve


MIRI: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the organiser of the Borneo Jazz Festival, held a tree planting ceremony at Piasau Nature Reserve (PNR) yesterday to enhance its campaign to help preserve, protect and conserve the environment to make the state’s tourism industry sustainable.

Newly elected Senadin assemblyman Datuk Lee Kim Shin, newly elected Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Miri Resident Antonio Kathi Galis, Ministry of Tourism permanent secretary and STB chief executive officer Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Shell Malaysia (Government Relations) senior manager Jonathan Jolly and Sarawak Forestry (SFC) Miri regional manager Abang Arabi Abang Aiman were among 120 people taking part in the event.

Among the other participants were performers of the Borneo Jazz Festival 2016, staff of Sarawak Shell, government officials, hoteliers, volunteers and media personnel.

A total of 60 tree seedlings indigenous to Sarawak, namely ranggu/sentang, bungkang and kasai, were planted in support of the conservation of PNR to provide food for the animals including totally protected hornbills.

Lee in his speech commended STB for organising the greening programme, which augured well in supporting efforts to make PNR a premier tourism product for Miri.

“We targeted to make this nature reserve an iconic urban park in the country and the tree planting event held today augured well.

“We hope that the rich flora and fauna here including its hornbills – totally protected species of birds – could become important tourist attractions,” he said.

Lee suggested that more environment related seminars and conferences be held at the nature reserve once facilities are available, to further create greater awareness of environmental protection and appreciation.

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