By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 27: Efforts to gazette Taman Bukit Siol in Petra Jaya as a nature reserve are ongoing, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said he had instructed Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) to work together with Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) to implement beautification works before gazetting the area.
“We will plant many trees in the area, and we will prohibit any housing development from being carried out in the area.
“When we finally have a nature reserve near Bukit Siol in Petra Jaya, it will also be connected with the recreational places near the Sarawak State Library.
“This will become a green area for us to carry out recreational activities and promote a healthy lifestyle,” he said when officiating at DBKU’s Friendly Neighbourhood (JKM) dinner gathering held at UCSI Hotel in Kuching tonight.
Abang Johari said that at the moment, Sarawak has several nature reserves in the State, including the Sama Jaya Nature Reserve under Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Bukit Lima Nature Reserve in Sibu, and Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri.
Among those present were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (DBKU and Islamic Affairs) Assistant Minister-cum-Pantai Damai incumbent Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Assistant Minister-cum-Samariang incumbent Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; Demak Laut incumbent Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Tupong incumbent Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and DBKU mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan. — DayakDaily
